Herrestad Church

Vadstena, Sweden

Herrestad Church is one of the oldest existing churches in Sweden. According the Radiocarbon dating of wooden parts the construction was started in 1112. Archaeologists have also found nearby an early Christian tomb from the 1000s. It is quite probable there has been a wooden church before the stone church was built.

Herrestad church was made of limestone in early Romanesque style. The interior includes a medieval triptych, which depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary and which was made at Vadstena Monastery in the 15th century. There is also an original medieval font, along with a triumphal crucifix from the 15th century. The pulpit was carved in the 16th century piece by a local artist. The church doors date back to the earliest days of the building.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Herrestad 312, Vadstena, Sweden

See all sites in Vadstena

Details

Founded: ca. 1112
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Vadstena Castle (7,5 km)
Vadstena Museum (7,8 km)
Vadstena Town Hall (7,7 km)
Bishop’s House (8 km)
Väversunda Church (7,6 km)
Rogslösa Church (4,1 km)

Askersund Country Church (54,5 km)
Brahehus Castle Ruins (41,6 km)
Vadstena Abbey (8,2 km)
Red Tower (8,1 km)
Visingsborg Castle Ruins (47,8 km)
Hospital Museum (8,4 km)
Alvastra Monastery Ruins (13,7 km)
Rök Runestone (10,8 km)
Säby Church (44,9 km)

User Reviews

Bertil Lindgren (3 years ago)
One of the oldest churches around Omberg, or rather one of Sweden's oldest. The church is from the early 12th century, so soon it is almost a thousand years old. In the armory there are two old doors with beautiful wrought iron fittings. Fantastic to be able to experience the tranquility and history of this building.

Fredrik Dahlin (3 years ago)
Very beautiful church but nice environment all around. The church is over 900 years old and small but cosy.

Anders Berggren (3 years ago)
Located very nice with a view of the mountains and the fog.

Annika Strid (4 years ago)

Björn Englund (4 years ago)
Nice

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright w_lemay

Historic Site of the week

Temple of Edfu

The Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved ancient shrines in Egypt. It was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC.

Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, including the Dendera Temple complex, Esna, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and Philae. Its size reflects the relative prosperity of the time. The present temple initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels. The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII Auletes. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east–west rather than north–south as in the present site.