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.
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 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]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefSvahnström, Gunnar (1973). Lagerlöf, Erland (ed.). Gotlands kyrkor (in Swedish). Uddevalla: Rabén & Sjögren. pp. 242–245. ISBN9129410355.
^ abAndrén, Anders (2011). Det Medeltida Gotland. En arkeologisk guidebok (in Swedish). Lund: Historiska Media. pp. 172–174. ISBN978-91-85873-83-8.
Further readingedit
Roosval, Johnny (1914). Stenkyrka kyrka (in: Kyrkor i Lummelunda ting (utom Tingstäde kyrka)). Sveriges kyrkor, konsthistoriskt inventarium (in Swedish). Vol. 3. Stockholm: Svenska Bokhandelscentralen A.-B. pp. 1–52. ISSN 0284-1894.
External linksedit
Media related to Stenkyrka Church at Wikimedia Commons
Official site (in Swedish)
January 05, 2024
stenkyrka, church, swedish, stenkyrka, kyrka, medieval, church, stenkyrka, swedish, island, gotland, although, current, church, dates, from, 13th, century, probably, preceded, earliest, churches, gotland, this, site, dominated, large, tower, interior, decorate. 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 Stenkyrka ChurchStenkyrka kyrkaStenkyrka Church view of the exteriorStenkyrka ChurchLocation on GotlandCountrySwedenDenominationChurch of SwedenAdministrationDioceseVisby Contents 1 History 2 Architecture 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksHistory editAccording 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 Linkoping 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 editThe 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 References edit a b c d e f Svahnstrom Gunnar 1973 Lagerlof Erland ed Gotlands kyrkor in Swedish Uddevalla Raben amp Sjogren pp 242 245 ISBN 9129410355 a b Andren Anders 2011 Det Medeltida Gotland En arkeologisk guidebok in Swedish Lund Historiska Media pp 172 174 ISBN 978 91 85873 83 8 Further reading editRoosval Johnny 1914 Stenkyrka kyrka in Kyrkor i Lummelunda ting utom Tingstade kyrka Sveriges kyrkor konsthistoriskt inventarium in Swedish Vol 3 Stockholm Svenska Bokhandelscentralen A B pp 1 52 ISSN 0284 1894 External links edit nbsp Media related to Stenkyrka Church at Wikimedia Commons Official site in Swedish Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Stenkyrka Church amp oldid 1062250237, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
