While the oldest parts of Havdhem Church have been identified as being from the first half of the 12th century, graves dating from the period of the arrival of Christendom to Gotland (11th century) have been discovered in the cemetery. The choir is the oldest part of the church itself. It shows resemblances with the churches of Garde and Källunge. The choir portal is however later, from the 13th century. The nave dates from circa 1200 but was originally both lower and somewhat shorter. It was possibly enlarged in 1580, following a fire that devastated the church. The apse was added to the choir at approximately the same time as the nave was built. It displays similarities with a now ruined church in Visby, St. Drotten. The church tower dates from the middle of the 13th century and was originally slightly higher. It replaced an earlier, smaller tower.
Internally, the apse retains a few fragments of frescos displaying Byzantine influences. The altarpiece dates from 1667 and the pulpit from 1679, while the baptismal font is from 1685. The triumphal cross is a work from the 15th century.
References: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.