Villberga Church, Grillby, Sweden

The original Villberga church consisting of nave and chancel was built probably between 1227-1280. Until the mid-1300s the vaulting of brick and current vestry were added. Simultaneously with the arches were added probably. The porch has been dated to the period 1250-1350. The original frescoes were made probably in the mid-1400s by an unknown artist associated with Mälardalen School. At the end of the 1400's them were overpainted and new paintings were added by Albertus Pictor or any of his students.

Apart from some window enlargements, the exterior has remained relatively unchanged since the Middle Ages. The interior, however, has undergone several changes. By the 1700s medieval paintings were overpainted. At the same time the existing furnishings were changed. Also the organs, organ facade and pulpit were added then.

One of the key attractions of Villberga Church are the preserved medieval frescoes that adorn the wall. The altar screen was made around 1510 in Jan Borman’s workshop in Brussels. According to a legend the altar was brought from Germany during the Thirty Years' War and it came to Villberga church in 1632.

References:

Wikipedia

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.

Sonia Lysen (6 months ago)
Interesting church that was closed when we arrived.

Oskar Kuus (6 months ago)
A church. No big deal

B G (3 years ago)
Nice church with harmonious and well-kept cemetery well located by the country road. Well worth a visit.

Robert Hagblom (3 years ago)
Waiting for a friend ...

Villberga Church

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Church of St Donatus