Linköping Cathedral, Linköping, Sweden

The Linköping Cathedral is the seat for the bishop in the Church of Sweden Diocese of Linköping. The present church is about 800 years old. However, its history starts in the 11th century, with a wooden church being built. Later, around 1120, a stone church was being constructed; a basilica of about half the size of the present building.

Around 1230 it became necessary to construct a larger church, as the basilica had become too small. The church was extended to the East, with a new choir and transept. These parts remain as part of the present church. The current altarpiece is also from that period. The next extension of the church was made following the coronation of King Valdemar, in 1251. Now, the main building was constructed, and the church received its current length. Its length is 110 meters and the height of the tower is 107 metres.

Between 1408–1420 the chapels were constructed in Gothic architecture, with large windows and star shaped vaults. The chapels were named after Saint Andreas (later renamed into Saint Mary), St. Nicolaus and St. Thomas.

Fire damaged the roof of the church in 1546 and 1567. The tower was rebuilt between 1747–1758 and again between 1877–1886 by Helgo Zettervall. However, a restoration was made in 1967, restoring the shape of the 17th century roof. The roof is covered with copper plating. The corrosion has created the green color.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Fito H (9 months ago)
Historic, gigantic, cathedral with aggregated artefacts collected inside. Free and commendable experience

yu takahashi (10 months ago)
One of my best cathedral I've visited ever. There are lots of art to see inside. Especially the pulpit was amazing. If you get close, it had fine sculpture seems to tell some kind of story. It's recommended to visit when there's sun shine, and on-the-hour ;)

Zeeshan Sabir (10 months ago)
Beautiful, Peaceful and Serene. This was my second time there and I really enjoyed the experience.

Natalia Ema Anderkova (11 months ago)
I love churches, especially pipe organs. This one was particularly interesting, there were two and a lady was playing on smaller one. I liked the jewels or gems in the floor with short quotations.

God Pattern (2 years ago)
A beautiful piece of Swedish history highlighting our religious past while also being renewed enough to be save, comfturable and usable as it has 'gudstjänst' every week. Interesting fact for non-Linköping people; the top of this church is the highest point in all of Linköping!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Linköping Cathedral

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus