Nydala Abbey

Vrigstad, Sweden

Nydala Abbey was a medieval Cistercian monastery. Nydala (from Swedish ny, meaning new, and dal, meaning valley) was called Sancta Maria de Nova Valle or just Nova Vallis in Latin. It was founded together with Alvastra Abbey in 1147 as the first cistercian monasteries in Sweden. King Gustavus Vasa appropriated the abbey in the 1520s, and the Danes sacked it in 1568. Part of the abbey church was rebuilt in the following years, and is still used as parish church. Some other ruins also remain visible at the site.

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Details

Founded: 1147
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Tom G (6 months ago)
Very nice and peaceful place. Inside the church you can hear the history of the abbey
Maurizio G. F (2 years ago)
I loved the peace, quiet and prayerful atmosphere of this beautiful former Abbey and everyone in my small group agreed. Pity there is nowhere nearby to have a coffee (the nearest place was closed) but a visit to this place is thoroughly recommended.
Astrid Dingeldein (2 years ago)
We were only there briefly. When you go to the church, you can activate an audio information (on the wall). Very well done ?
Oscar Andersson (2 years ago)
Nydala monastery was founded on the same day as Alvastra monastery in June 1143. The monastery had a slow start, but when the monastery was withdrawn in 1529 by Gustav Vasa, Nydala was the richest Cistercian monastery in Sweden and the largest landowner in Småland. The area is largely unexcavated, but you can see many of the old walls. The church has a bright and modern interior.
Jennette Fox (4 years ago)
Interesting place to walk around. We'll signed with information about the history of the different buildings on site. Church was open for a tour.
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