A first stone church was built on the site of current Norrlanda Church in the 12th century. To this church a Romanesque tower was added in the 13th century. The presently visible church tower is this tower, and the only remains of the first church. The nave and choir were torn down in the late 13th or early 14th century, and replaced with a new choir and sacristy. A new nave was built slightly later, in the middle of the 14th century. These new additions to the church are in Gothic style, as opposed to the older, Romanesque tower. Because of the reconstruction, the tower also seems disproportionally small. Churches with a similar profile can be found elsewhere on Gotland, e.g. in the churches of Ardre and Hablingbo. The church has remained largely unaltered since the Middle Ages.
The church is surrounded by a low wall, in which two medieval lychgates survive. In the church exterior, the main portal is noteworthy. It contains some of the most unusual medieval sculpting that can be found among the churches of Gotland. It was made in the 14th century by the stone sculptor or sculptor's workshop which art historians have labelled Egypticus. The sculptures depict the Resurrection of Jesus, and scenes from the early life of Christ and Mary.
Inside, the church is quite profusely decorated with medieval frescos. These seem all to have been made by the so-called Master of the Passion of Christ. They depict scenes from the Passion of Christ, several saints and some scenes depicting devils and women. Among the furnishings of the church, only the base of the baptismal font and the church bell are medieval (12th and 13th centuries). The church bell is supposedly the largest 13th century church bell in Sweden. Other furnishings date mostly from the 18th century and the late 19th 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.