Vall Church

Last updated
Vall Church
Valls kyrka
Valls-kyrka-Gotland-Kor1.jpg
Vall Church, view of the exterior
Sweden Gotland location map modified.svg
Red pog.svg
Vall Church
Location on Gotland
57°31′15″N18°20′43″E / 57.52074°N 18.34516°E / 57.52074; 18.34516 Coordinates: 57°31′15″N18°20′43″E / 57.52074°N 18.34516°E / 57.52074; 18.34516
Country Sweden
Denomination Church of Sweden
Administration
Diocese Visby

Vall Church (Swedish : Valls kyrka) 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.

Contents

History and architecture

Vall Church is a largely Romanesque church that dates from the 13th century. It was built in three phases. Oldest is the choir with the apse, and the nave, dating from the early part of the century. The tower was begun during the middle of the century and made higher at the end of the century. [1]

The church is a relatively well-preserved Romanesque building, with a tower that is unusually tall in comparison with similar churches on Gotland. All the church portals are Romanesque, and of these the north portal of the tower is the most noteworthy. Inside, the vaults of the nave are supported by a single central pillar, whose decoration is reminiscent of the decoration in the choir of Visby Cathedral. In the tower base there is a separate chamber with a hagioscope opening towards the nave. Similar chambers can be found e.g. in Bro and Martebo churches. Remains of medieval stained glass panes exist in one of the church windows. In the south wall of the apse sits a niche with a pair of doors from circa 1300. The doors are richly carved and carry runic inscriptions. The altarpiece is from 1684, and made in Burgsvik, while the baptismal font dates from the 12th century and is a work by the Romanesque artist Majestatis. The pulpit is a work from the early 18th century. In the church floor there is also the tombstone of Peter Harding, who led the peasant faction during a civil war on Gotland in 1288. The oldest of the church bells, finally, dates from 1443 and had belonged to Hogrän Church. [1]

Related Research Articles

Bunge Church Church in Bunge, 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 frescos, 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).

Hablingbo Church Church in Sweden

Hablingbo Church is a medieval church in Hablingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is one of the largest churches on Gotland, and dating largely from the 14th century, although the current church building was preceded by a stave church. The stone portals of the church are comparatively richly decorated. It is used by the Church of Sweden and part of the Diocese of Visby.

Anga Church, Gotland Church in Sweden

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 frescos 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.

Alva Church Church in Sweden

Alva Church is a medieval church in Alva on the Swedish island of Gotland. The oldest parts of the church date from the late 12th century; with the halted construction of the tower about a century later, building activity ceased. The church contains medieval frescos as well as a number of medieval furnishings and pieces of art. It lies in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.

Stenkyrka Church Church in Sweden

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 frescos. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.

Hemse Church Church in Sweden

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 frescos as well as some medieval furnishings. It is part of the Diocese of Visby.

Atlingbo Church Church in Sweden

Atlingbo Church is a medieval church in Atlingbo on the Swedish island Gotland. Atlingbo Church was built in stages during the 13th century, with only the sacristy being of later date. The church contains a decorated Romanesque baptismal font made by the workshop or sculptor known as Byzantios. It is used by the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.

Boge Church Church in Sweden

Boge Church is a medieval church in Boge not far from Slite on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its main construction period was during the 13th century, but the tower was rebuilt following its collapse in a storm during the 19th century. It contains sets of medieval frescos. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.

Buttle Church Church in Sweden

Buttle Church is a medieval church in Buttle on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is one of the more well-preserved Romanesque churches on Gotland, and contains both a number of medieval furnishings as well medieval frescos. Buttle Church belongs to the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.

Bäl Church Church in Sweden

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 frescos. It belongs to the parish Väskinde, in the Diocese of Visby.

Fole Church Church in Sweden

Fole Church is a medieval church in Fole on the Swedish island of Gotland. The Romanesque tower is the oldest part of the otherwise largely Gothic church. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.

Follingbo Church Church in 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 Church in 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.

Kräklingbo Church Church in Sweden

Kräklingbo Church is a medieval church in Kräklingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby.

Levide Church Church in Sweden

Levide Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. It lies in the Diocese of Visby.

Lummelunda Church Church in Sweden

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.

Mästerby Church Church in Sweden

Mästerby Church is a medieval church in Mästerby on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is richly decorated with medieval frescos. Mästerby Church belongs to the Diocese of Visby.

Gerum Church Church in Sweden

Gerum Church is a medieval church in Gerum on the Swedish island of Gotland, built between c. 1200 and 1300. It is used by the Church of Sweden.

Guldrupe Church Church in Sweden

Guldrupe Church is a medieval church in Guldrupe on the island of Gotland. Its peculiar shape is due to the nave being older than the choir. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby (Sweden).

Vallstena Church Church in Sweden

Vallstena Church is a medieval church on the island of Gotland, Sweden. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby.

References

  1. 1 2 Lagerlöf, Erland, ed. (1973). Gotlands kyrkor (in Swedish). Uddevalla: Rabén & Sjögren. pp. 256–260. ISBN   9129410355.

Further reading