Fide Church, Fide, Sweden - SpottingHistory

Fide Church dates from the 13th century. Oldest are the nave and choir, while the tower was added slightly later. The roof lantern which gives the top of the tower its distinctive shape is however considerably later, from 1826.

The church lies in an unusually well-preserved medieval cemetery which is surrounded by a low wall in which three medieval gates still sits. The building material of the church is sandstone. The exterior of the church is rather barren, but rather unusually the church still keeps the original windows, which have never been enlarged.

Inside, the church is decorated with frescos from two different periods. The oldest are from the early 15th century and includes religious motifs as well as an inscription in latin that has been interpreted as a lamentation of the Battle of Visby in 1361. In translation it reads: 'The field is burnt and the men cry, beaten and in pain under the sword.' The other, somewhat later set of frescos depict scenes from the Passion of Christ and have been attributed to the Master of the Passion of Christ. Among the furnishings, especially the medieval (early 15th century) altarpiece deserves mention. The church furthermore has a triumphal cross from the time of the construction of the church, and one of the oldest pulpits on Gotland, from 1587.

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Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Magnus KARLSSON (7 months ago)
Small but beautiful and simple church

Britt-Marie Gustafsson (2 years ago)
Another fantastic church on Gotland.

Nahoj Grebdron (3 years ago)
grandfather was there, and he was absolutely right about that.

Jan Nothwarp (4 years ago)

Jörgen Gustafsson (4 years ago)
A beautiful little church with Gotland's oldest "graffitti" from 1361 in the form of a Hansakogg on the north long side, a knight on horseback behind the altar and an "annagram" on the left in the choir.

Fide Church

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