Roslags-Bro Church (Swedish : Roslags-Bro kyrka) is a medieval Lutheran church in the Archdiocese of Uppsala in Stockholm County, Sweden. It was built during the middle of the 13th century by an important sea-route, since disappeared as a consequence of the post-glacial rebound. [1] [2] Immured in the church is a runestone from the 11th century.
When Roslags-Bro church was built in the 13th century it was located by a once important sea-route which has since disappeared as a consequence of post-glacial rebound. Immured in the church is a runestone from the 11th century raised in memory of a man who was killed in Estonia across the Baltic Sea (runestone U533). [2] Throughout the Middle Ages, the church was one of the most important churches in Roslagen, and one of the first stone churches in the area. [2] Archbishop Nathan Söderblom still referred to the church as "the Cathedral of Roslagen". [3]
Several details, notably the extensive use of sandstone from Gotland and the church's triumphal cross and baptismal font coming from there, indicate the workshop building the church might have come from Gotland. [1] [2]
During the 15th century, the choir was added and the ceiling further vaulted and decorated with frescos. The latter have never been painted over and so retain much of their original brilliance. [4] It has been suggested that Sten Sture the Elder might have commissioned them. [1]
During the 18th century the windows of the church were enlarged to their present size and an external wooden bell tower erected. Two free-standing burial chapels were added close to the church in the cemetery, and one attached to the western gable [4] by Vendela Magnona Fleming for her and her husband, Duke Carl Gabrielsson Oxenstierna. It displays the coats of arms of the Fleming and Oxenstierna families. [1]
Despite a few later additions and alterations, Roslags-Bro Church is considered to be a representative example of a medieval church in Uppland. [2] Externally the church retains much of its original look, characterised by roughly hewn stones and high Gothic gables, save the strikingly different Fleming-Oxenstierna burial chapel. [1]
The interior features frescoes, largely purely ornamental of foliage. [1] Church furnishings include a baptismal font and triumphal cross made on Gotland. Also housed is a wooden sculpture of a male saint, traditionally considered a depiction of St. Erik [1] [4] but probably Saint Olaf. [2] [3] The statue has served as a model for the coat of arms of Stockholm, of which St. Erik is the patron saint. [5] The church has an altarpiece from the early 15th century, one of the oldest in Sweden. [4] In addition, it houses a 14th-century Madonna and a sculpture of Saint Stephen from the 15th century.
Another unusual piece of wooden sculpture from the church is a medieval coffin with a statue of Christ. On Good Friday the congregation places the statue in the coffin. Before they arrive again on Easter Sunday the priest removes the statue and so illustrates Christ has risen from the dead. [3] [4]
Among later furnishings, the pulpit is from circa 1700 and the organ from 1838. The church also has some carved wooden epitaphs of families from the Swedish nobility on display. [4]
Swedish art refers to the visual arts produced in Sweden or by Swedish artists. Sweden has existed as a country for over 1,000 years, and for times before this, as well as many subsequent periods, Swedish art is usually considered as part of the wider Nordic art of Scandinavia. It has, especially since about 1100, been strongly influenced by wider trends in European art. After World War II, the influence of the United States strengthened substantially. Due to generous art subsidies, contemporary Swedish art has a big production per capita.
Täby Church is a medieval church in Täby Municipality, in the province of Uppland north of Stockholm. The church is best known for its painted walls and ceilings by Albertus Pictor.
Bro Church is a medieval era Lutheran church at Bro on the Swedish island Gotland. Situated on what was possibly a pre-Christian sacred site, the presently visible church was built during the 13th century. Stylistically, its architecture shows a mix of Romanesque and Gothic elements. It still contains some medieval furnishings, including a baptismal font by Sigraf, and murals. The church belongs to the Väskinde parish in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.
Hejdeby Church is a medieval church in Hejdeby on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church was built in stages during the 13th century, and contains medieval murals from two different periods. Hejdeby Church is part of the Diocese of Visby within the Church of Sweden.
Ala Church is a medieval church in Ala on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its oldest parts date from the 12th century. Damaged by fire in the 1930s, it still contains medieval murals and its original baptismal font. The church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies within the Diocese of Visby.
Stånga Church is a medieval church in Stånga on the Swedish island of Gotland. The site of the church has probably been considered sacred since before the Christianization of Scandinavia.
Tensta Church is a medieval Lutheran church in the Archdiocese of Uppsala in Uppsala County, Sweden. It is a representative example of the Brick Gothic style in Sweden.
Frötuna Church is a medieval Lutheran church in the Archdiocese of Uppsala close to Norrtälje in Stockholm County, Sweden.
Jumkil Church is a medieval Lutheran church near Uppsala in the Archdiocese of Uppsala in Uppsala County, Sweden.
Angarn Church is a Lutheran church at Angarn in Vallentuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. It is located close to Angarnsjöängen nature reserve. The church is associated with the Archdiocese of Uppsala of the Church of Sweden.
Fresta Church is a Lutheran church in the municipality of Upplands Väsby in Stockholm County, Sweden.
Barlingbo Church is a medieval church in Barlingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. It dates from the 13th century and has been altered little since. It contains furnishings from several centuries, including an unusual medieval baptismal font, decorated with figures and runes. The church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Dalhem Church is a medieval church in Dalhem on the Swedish island of Gotland. Built in the 13th and 14th century, the church underwent major changes during a renovation at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. Dalhem Church lies in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.
Endre Church is a medieval church in Endre on the Swedish island of Gotland, in the Diocese of Visby, built from the 12th to early 14th century. It contains medieval murals and several medieval furnishings, and belongs to the Church of Sweden.
Halla Church is a medieval church in Halla on the Swedish island Gotland. It is part of the Diocese of Visby.
Linde Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church was built between the 12th and the early 13th century and is Romanesque in style. I lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Börje Church is a Lutheran church in the Archdiocese of Uppsala in Uppsala County, Sweden, located west of Uppsala.
Hogrän Church is a medieval church in Hogrän on the Swedish island of Gotland. It was built in stages between the 12th and 14th century, and contains several medieval church fittings. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
När Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island Gotland. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Stenkumla Church is a medieval church in Stenkumla on the island of Gotland, Sweden. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby. During the Middle Ages, the church was dedicated to Saint Lawrence.