Bro Church, Gotland

Coordinates: 57°40′12″N 18°28′30″E / 57.67002°N 18.47487°E / 57.67002; 18.47487
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Bro Church, Uppland.
Bro Church
Bro kyrka
Bro Church, external view
Bro Church is located in Gotland
Bro Church
Bro Church
Location on Gotland
57°40′12″N 18°28′30″E / 57.67002°N 18.47487°E / 57.67002; 18.47487
CountrySweden
DenominationChurch of Sweden
Administration
DioceseVisby

Bro Church (

Lutheran church at Bro on the Swedish island Gotland. Situated on what was possibly a pre-Christian sacred site, the presently visible church was built during the 13th century. Stylistically, its architecture shows a mix of Romanesque and Gothic elements. It still contains some medieval furnishings, including a baptismal font by Sigraf, and murals. The church belongs to the Väskinde parish in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden
.

History

The present-day church is possibly located on an ancient

pre-Christian sacred site. There is a well nearby the church which tradition claims to have been a sacrificial well. More concretely, the area is rich in ancient remains, notably a number of picture stones dating from the 5th century.[1][2][3]

A first Christian church was probably built in the form of a

nave was erected at the end of the century. During this time the profusely rich medieval interior decoration of the church was also successively added.[1][2]

No further greater changes has been made to the exterior of the church since; however, the interior of the church has been affected by additional adornment and also attempts at re-painting the older

Baroque era. Even so, the church remains one of the most well-preserved medieval churches on Gotland.[1][2][3]

Bro Church today belongs to Väskinde parish in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden. [4]

Architecture

Interior, view towards the choir

Bro church displays a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and art, with several Baroque details.[1] The tower is a sturdy late Romanesque edifice. The nave is a high, Gothic room with broad vaults which do not rest on any supporting pillars but reach to the walls.[3] The apse is straight, typically for churches on Gotland, instead of semi-circular.[1]

Several Romanesque

Hell, while the other side displays intricately carved foliage.[1][2]

Wall paintings cover much of the interior of the church. The original, medieval paintings display scenes from the

Passion of Christ, and Christ in Majesty.[2] These paintings have on several places been painted over during the 17th century with acanthus-motives and other decoration. Bro church still has its original Romanesque baptismal font, a work by the stone sculptor or workshop known as Sigraf (c.1175–1210). Of the former medieval wooden sculptures, only the triumphal cross dating from the middle of the 12th century remains.[1]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9129410355
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 91-971048-1-7
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-91-85873-83-8
    .
  4. ^ "Bro kyrka". gotland.se. Retrieved January 1, 2019.

Further reading
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bro_Church,_Gotland&oldid=1254267073"