The first written record of a church on the site of current Bladåker Church dates from 1316. The presently visible church, however, dates from the late 15th or early 16th century, with the exception of the sacristy (13th century) which is the only remains of the earlier, probably otherwise wooden, church. The church is constructed of fieldstone, with brick having been used for details and decorations in the façade. The external bell tower, made of wood, was erected in 1748. Inside, the church is decorated with frescos, dating from 1623. These were painted over during the 18th century but have since been restored. Among the church furnishings, a late medieval sculpture of the Holy Virgin and a number of wooden funeral coat of arms from the local nobility can be mentioned. The altarpiece is especially noteworthy as it was painted by Anna Maria Ehrenstrahl and donated by her to the church.
The church lies in a small hamlet, containing several well-preserved historical farmhouses and the former church school.
References: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.