This church dates back to the later part of the 12th century and was originally built in Romanesque style. (Traces of an even older wooden church have also been found.) The round church tower is unusual for Sweden.
The altarpiece was carved in 1700, but the image in the middle is later, from 1869.
The side ailes to the south and to the north were added in the 19th century. The pulpit, originally from the 17th century, had to be moved to be better seen by the congregation.
The organ was first built in 1851, and rebuilt in 1926.
Hammarlöv church is situated not far from Maglarp church, which I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. Some similarities can be seen in the interior design if you compare them.
Inspired Sunday #339
9 comments:
A very distinct look, with the round tower. I don't think I have ever seen one like it! Unusual that there seems to be only one song on the song board.
You're very observant, Meike! I have to confess I did not pay any special attention to the song board. You are right, for a normal service one would expect more than one hymn. However, as we were not there for a service but as tourists on a weekday, I suppose maybe they just leave some numbers on the board to show what it is intended for(?) (I got curious now and looked up the hymn - it's an Easter one about the resurrection.)
I did notice a few things like the other church on the inside. I like the round tower. when I first saw it with the window, I thought Rapunzel, Rapnzel let down your hair, from the old fairy tale. I know its a church so sorry for that.
Quite an interesing design.
This church really surprised me. To me, it looks more like a fortress or castle! All those iron crosses on the tower are so unusual!! Do they have an active membership? Do they give tours? What a sweet little cemetery, with such neatly trimmed hedges all around it.
Sandra, I can almost imagine her now, looking out of that window... ;)
I thought so, too!
Ginny, when I looked for info about this church I saw suggestions that the tower may initially have been intended for defense purposes - but also others rejecting that idea. So I'm not sure! - The church does still serve as a parish church in the Church of Sweden. As with most countryside churches I assume it's mainly in the summer that it is also sometimes open for tourists. With most of the churches we stopped at, we did not know beforehand if it would be open or not. I doubt they leave them open nowadays without some kind of staff or volunteers around nearby to keep an eye on things.
I really like that considering it's age it's still in really top notch condition, it looks lovely from the outside.
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