Stenkyrka Church

Stenkyrka Church
Stenkyrka Church
	Stenkyrka kyrka
	Stenkyrka Church, view of the exterior
	Stenkyrka Church Location on Gotland
	57°29′08″N18°31′15″E / 57.48555°N 18.52075°E Coordinates: 57°29′08″N18°31′15″E / 57.48555°N 18.52075°E
Country	Sweden
Denomination	Church of Sweden
Administration
Diocese	Visby

Last updated December 17, 2020

Stenkyrka Church (Swedish : Stenkyrka kyrka) 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.

History

According to the Gutasaga, a man called Lickajr the Wise built one of the first churches on Gotland in Stenkyrka. If true, this first church was almost certainly wooden. The name Stenkyrka (literally in Swedish: stone church) implies that also the stone church is very early, from a time when buildings made of stone (rather than wood) was still a phenomenon unusual enough to give name to a place. This first, Romanesque church is also gone, but traces have been found and archaeologists have been able to determine that it was a small church with tower, nave and choir.^[1]^[2]

The Romanesque church was successively replaced by the presently visible church starting in the mid-13th century. The choir was rebuilt first, followed by the nave, which was inaugurated by the bishop of Linköping in 1255. The tower was added during the 14th century, and modelled after three similar city churches (since destroyed) in Visby.^[1]^[2]

The church underwent a restoration in 1954-55.^[1]

Architecture

The church is dominated by the large tower, described as one of the finest church towers on Gotland.^[1] The church has two simple Romanesque portals and a Gothic tower portal. Inside, the church is richly decorated with murals, dating from three different periods. The oldest ones are from the middle of the 13th century and mainly ornamental. Later but from the same century are a number of paintings depicting imaginary animals, drapery and marble imitation. The most recent murals, from the end of the 14th century, depict figures and scenes from the bible.^[1]

The furnishings are mostly from after the reformation. A finely carved crucifix dates from the late 14th century, and the baptismal font is from the 12th century. The church is also the location of the oldest dated gravestone on Gotland, from the year 1200.^[1]

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References

1 2 3 4 5 6 Svahnström, Gunnar (1973). Lagerlöf, Erland (ed.). Gotlands kyrkor (in Swedish). Uddevalla: Rabén & Sjögren. pp. 242–245. ISBN 9129410355.
1 2 Andrén, Anders (2011). Det Medeltida Gotland. En arkeologisk guidebok (in Swedish). Lund: Historiska Media. pp. 172–174. ISBN 978-91-85873-83-8.

External links

Media related to Stenkyrka Church at Wikimedia Commons
Official site (in Swedish)

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[gotkyrkor-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Svahnström, Gunnar (1973). Lagerlöf, Erland (ed.). Gotlands kyrkor (in Swedish). Uddevalla: Rabén & Sjögren. pp. 242–245. ISBN 9129410355.

[DMG-2] 1 2 Andrén, Anders (2011). Det Medeltida Gotland. En arkeologisk guidebok (in Swedish). Lund: Historiska Media. pp. 172–174. ISBN 978-91-85873-83-8.

[1]

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v t e Churches on Gotland, Sweden
List of church ruins List of medieval churches
Akebäck Ala Alskog Alva Anga Ardre Atlingbo Bäl Barlingbo Björke Body of Christ Boge Bro Bunge Burs Buttle Dalhem Eke Ekeby Eksta Endre Eskelhem Etelhem Fardhem Fårö Fide Fleringe Fole Follingbo Fröjel Gammelgarn Ganthem Garde Gerum Gothem Grötlingbo Guldrupe Hablingbo Hall Halla Hamra Hangvar Havdhem Hejde Hejdeby Hejnum Hellvi Hemse Hogrän Hörsne Källunge Klinte Kräklingbo Lärbro Lau Levide Linde Lojsta Lokrume Lummelunda Lye Martebo Mästerby När Näs Norrlanda Öja Östergarn Othem Pentecostal Roma Rone Rute Sanda Silte Sjonhem Slite Sproge Stenkumla Stenkyrka Stånga Sundre Terra Nova Tingstäde Tofta Träkumla Vall Vallstena Vamlingbo Vänge Vårdklockan Väskinde Västergarn Västerhejde Väte Viklau Visby Cathedral Visborg
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