Kungslena Church

Tidaholm, Sweden

Kungslena church was probably built in the late 1100s or before 1208 according to tradition by King Erik XI to commemorate the battle of Lena. It is known for its unusual appearance, with three turret towers rising above the roof.

The wall paintings were made in 1749 by Johannes Risberg and is one reason why the church is a famous tourist attraction. The font has been dated to 1170, and it is believed the church is older yet. The wall paintings, created in the eighteenth century by Johannes Risberg, draw many visitors. There are audio guides available in the church allowing you to take a guided tour in English, Swedish or German.

Address

Kungslena kyrka, Tidaholm, Sweden

See all sites in Tidaholm

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

More Information

www.vastsverige.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Kavlås Castle (4,2 km)

Skara Cathedral (27,8 km)
Åsle Tå (8,7 km)
Varnhem Abbey (19,6 km)
Habo Church (40,1 km)
Sofiakyrkan (53,8 km)
Falbygden Museum (16,2 km)
Gudhem Abbey Ruins (14,7 km)
Mariestad Cathedral (53,9 km)
Husaby Castle Ruins (41,6 km)

User Reviews

Christer Lundberg (3 years ago)
Historic church, small, intimate and very special.

Mike Heath (4 years ago)
Nice bit of history and a pleasant place for photos.

Anders Svensson (4 years ago)
This church is erected during the first half of the 13th century. It is a old and quite small church. At the battle at Lena 1208 AD was the old church demolished by the danish heroic army. The church and the neigbourhood was before called Lena.

Anders Larsson (4 years ago)
Very beautiful place with historical meaning that is a little out of the way in the countryside between Skövde and Tidaholm. A must for Arn lovers and medieval geeks!

Margaretha Härnlund (4 years ago)
En otroligt vacker kyrka och dess omgivning är helt bedårande

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

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Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.