Bjäresjö Church
| Bjäresjö Church | |
|---|---|
Bjäresjö kyrka | |
 Bjäresjö Church | |
  Bjäresjö Church  Bjäresjö Church | |
| 55°27′44″N 13°45′00″E / 55.462222°N 13.75°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lund |
Bjäresjö Church (
History and architecture
There was probably a wooden church in the same spot as the current church as early as the 11th century. It was replaced by the present stone church around 1150. The church was built using unusually expensive materials (such as delicately cut sandstone instead of fieldstone) and is unusually richly decorated. The apse in particular displays Romanesque sculptures unusual for a countryside church. It has been assumed that the building of the church was financed by a local lord, indicating that this area of the province was important also politically during the early Middle Ages.[1][2][3]
A broad, western tower was built during the 12th century but demolished and replaced with the currently visible Neo-Romanesque tower in 1892. Inside the church the vaults were constructed in the 14th century. A church porch was built in front of the southern entrance in the 15th century, but demolished in 1763 and replaced by the current transept. A northern transept had also been built in 1723. The exterior of the church has been described as a "miniature of Lund Cathedral".[1][3]
Murals
The interior of the church contains two separate sets of medieval murals. Decorating the apse is a set of vivid Romanesque paintings, influenced by French art and made in the early 13th century but somewhat harshly restored in the 19th century. They depict God holding the crucified Christ within a mandorla, under which the Apostles are standing. On the side walls there are scenes from the Old and New Testament as well as the family tree of Jesus. The paintings adorning the vaults of the nave are from the 14th century and depict the Coronation of the Virgin and the former patron saint of the church, Saint Lawrence.[1][2][3]
Furnishings
The oldest item in the church is the richly decorated Romanesque
Adjacent to the church are also the Bjäresjö Runestones.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-91-637-5874-4.
- ^ ISBN 91-971561-08.
- ^ a b c "Bjäresjö kyrka". Church of Sweden. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
External links
Media related to Bjärsesjö Church at Wikimedia Commons
