| Sproge Church | |
|---|---|
Sproge kyrka | |
 Sproge Church, view of the exterior | |
  Sproge Church | |
| 57°15′13″N18°12′39″E / 57.25361°N 18.21083°E Coordinates: 57°15′13″N18°12′39″E / 57.25361°N 18.21083°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Visby |
Sproge Church (Swedish : Sproge kyrka) is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. Built during the 13th century, it was heavily restored in 1839-1840. It lies in the Diocese of Visby.
The presently visible stone church at Sproge dates from the 13th century. The nave and choir are the oldest parts of the church, built during the first half of the century. The tower was added at the end of the same century. On the south facade of the church there is a plaque claiming the construction date of the church to be 1058, but this date appears to be pure fantasy. The church however had a wooden predecessor, a stave church built on the same site. Some 40 planks from this church are preserved in the Gotland Museum in Visby. The wooden church was probably built during the 11th century. [1]
The church was thoroughly reconstructed in 1839-40, when new windows were inserted in the wall, the interior medieval vaulting replaced by a modern ceiling and a new southern entrance constructed. Of the medieval inventories, only the 14th-century triumphal cross remains. The altarpiece and baptismal font both date from the 17th century. In the choir floor there also remain three medieval tombstones, and in the ground floor of the tower sits a pre-Christian picture stone with runic inscriptions. The picture stone tells the story of two men named Gairvatr and Audvatr who made a dolmen for their mother, and displays a picture showing the dead woman riding a sleigh towards the realm of the dead. Opposite this, a more modern memorial plaque has been put up, commemorating a British pilot who died when crashing with his plane in the Baltic Sea close to the church during World War II. [1]
The church was renovated in 1965. [1]
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.
Bunge Church is a medieval church in Bunge on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church seen today was largely built during the 14th century and is in a High Gothic style typical for churches on Gotland. Inside, the church is richly decorated with medieval murals, including depictions of medieval knights whose significance remain contested. Bunge Church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby (Sweden).
Gothem Church is a medieval church in Gothem on the Swedish island of Gotland. Gothic in style, it has remained largely unaltered since the 14th century. It lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Gammelgarn Church is a medieval church in Gammelgarn on the Swedish island of Gotland. The largely Gothic church stands next to an older defensive tower. The church's main portal is richly decorated with medieval sculpture, and the interior contains an altarpiece from the 14th century of high craftsmanship. The church is 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 muralsfrom two different periods. Hejdeby Church is part of the Diocese of Visby within the Church of Sweden.
Martebo Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its three portals contain some of the richest medieval sculpture on the island. Martebo Church lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Tingstäde Church is a medievalchurch on the Swedish island of Gotland, in the Diocese of Visby. Its present appearance dates largely from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Tofta Church is a medieval church in Tofta on the Swedish island of Gotland. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Anga Church is a 13th century church in Anga on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is one of the most well-preserved Romanesque churches on Gotland, and was possibly preceded by a stave church. Inside, the church is decorated with medieval murals from three different periods, as well as some medieval furnishings. Some wooden sculptures from the church are today exhibited in a museum in Visby. The church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies within the Diocese of Visby.
Stenkyrka Church is a medieval church in Stenkyrka on the Swedish island of Gotland. Although the current church dates from the 13th century, it was probably preceded by one of the earliest churches on Gotland at this site. Stenkyrka Church is dominated by its large tower and its interior is decorated with medieval murals. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Hemse Church is a medieval Lutheran church in Hemse on the island of Gotland. Preceded by the most well-preserved early stave church discovered in Sweden, the current church dates mainly from the 13th century. It contains sets of medieval murals as well as some medieval furnishings. It is part of the Diocese of Visby.
Hörsne Church is a medieval church in Hörsne-Bara on the Swedish island of Gotland. Dating from the 13th to the 14th century, the church has unusually richly decorated portals. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.
Eke Church is a medieval church in Eke on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church was built during the 12th and 13th century, with only smaller additions and changes made later. Inside, several medieval murals survive. The church is used by the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Bäl Church is a medieval church in Gute, Bäl, on the Swedish island of Gotland. It was built during the first half of the 13th century and contains sculptural decoration in both Romanesque and Gothic styles. The interior is decorated by medieval wall paintings. It belongs to the parish Väskinde, 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.
Follingbo Church is a medieval church in Follingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its Romanesque nave and tower are noteworthy for the professionalism with which they were built. It lies in the Diocese of Visby and is used of the Church of Sweden.
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.
Lummelunda Church is a medieval church in Lummelunda on the Swedish island of Gotland. The oldest parts were built circa 1200, and the last major alterations made in the 14th century when a new choir was built. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby.
Vall Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. The largely Romanesque church dates from the 13th century. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby.
Silte Church is an almost unaltered medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. Silte Church was built during the 13th century and contains a number of medieval fittings as well as murals. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Media related to Sproge kyrka at Wikimedia Commons
