Varnhem Abbey
 Varnhem Abbey church, with ruins of the ancient abbey to the right. | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Cistercians |
| Site | |
| Location | Varnhem, Västra Götaland County, Sweden |
| Coordinates | 58°23′03″N 13°39′15″E / 58.38417°N 13.65417°E |
Varnhem Abbey (Swedish: Varnhems kloster) in Varnhem, Västergötland, Sweden was founded around 1150 by monks of the Cistercian Order from Alvastra Abbey in Östergötland.
The Cistercian Order used the same floor plan for all its abbeys, which makes it possible to easily locate the different rooms and halls regardless of the building site.
History
A
Skåne). According to radiocarbon dating, the oldest Christian
man buried there died in the period 780-970. From other radiocarbon evidence, the Christian burials seem to have begun during the 10th century.
A rich lady named Sigrid, probably a widow, donated the property to the cistercian monks, but
the queen tried to revoke the donation and instead seize the property herself. The queen's attempts failed and the monks established the abbey in 1150.[1] The Varnhem Abbey was sponsored by the House of Eric which in turn was granted burial privileges there. Three kings from the House of Eric lie buried in the abbey church: Canute I of Sweden, Eric X of Sweden and Eric XI of Sweden.[2]
In 1234, the abbey was
Birger jarl and other mediaeval financiers rebuilt the abbey, this time more beautiful and imposing. The abbey church, which at first had been built in Romanesque style, was completed in Gothic style after the fire. In 1260 there was an opening ceremony for the church, which was the largest in Sweden at the time.[3]
The abbey's property was confiscated in 1527 in accordance with the
Mechtild of Holstein.[3]
Today, only the abbey church remains standing, surrounded by ruins. The number of tourists visiting Varnhem has grown manyfold due to
Arn
.
Buried in Varnhem
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A corbel in the abbey church representing Duke Birger of Sweden (Birger jarl).
,_Matilda_of_Denmark_%26_Eric_of_Sweden_(1251)_effigies_2009.jpg)
The grave of Birger jarl, his wife Matilda (Mechtild) and Birger's son Duke Eric
- Inge the Elder (oral tradition,[2][3] if so moved later to Vreta Abbey)
- Canute I of Sweden[2]
- Eric X of Sweden[2]
- Eric XI of Sweden[2]
- Matilda of Denmark, and his son Eric Birgersson[2]
- Magnus Ladulåsin the 13th century
- Maria Euphrosyne, their son Gustaf Adolf and Gustaf Adolf's wife Elisabeth Oxenstierna[2]
See also
- Axevalla House (castle ruins nearby)
Literature
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Varnhem Monastery.
- ^ Varnhem - Klosterstaden: Historiska personer Archived 2009-04-12 at the Wayback Machine. (Swedish). Retrieved on October 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Varnhem - Klosterstaden: Klosterstaden/Kunglig gravkyrka Archived 2009-03-17 at the Wayback Machine. (Swedish). Retrieved on October 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Varnhems Klosterkyrka" - brochure from Varnhems församling. (2003) (Swedish).
