(Monday, 5 August, cont.)
On our way back from the coast we also made a short stop at another church, in Sätila - not all that far from the one at Hyssna (previous post), where we had stopped on the way down the same morning. The church at Sätila too has a similar portal leading into the churchyard as the old church at Hyssna (but somewhat bigger).
Via a Swedish Wikipedia article I found my way to an English one on the same topic, giving me the English name for it: lychgate. The English article points out that "Lychgates served to differentiate consecrated and unconsecrated space" and adds that stone lychgates might also enhance the sensation of entering another space by actually changing how you perceived sound inside vs outside that gate. The English article also mentions the gate being important in funeral rituals; while the Swedish one stresses that in medeival times, the churchyard and church was sacred ground, where people could seek refuge/sanctuary. So these gates served more than just an ornamental purpose.
The church at Sätila is situated on a hill, overlooking a lake.
Outside that church, there are also two large stone tablets with inscriptions to do with the church's history. The first one is in memory of the church being extended in 1725. The second one in memory of renovations done in 1900-1901 (and naming a lot of people involved, from the king and the bishop and the vicar, to architects and painters...).
These records literally "written in stone" also reminded me of the stone with a much shorter message of similar kind that we found at the church at Vänga. So maybe raising memorials to major changes of church buildings was a common tradition in this part of Sweden as well (even if I can't recall having come across a whole lot of them, and especially not placed outside the church rather than within).
I think I like the gate even better than the church! But what a wonderful location it is in!
ReplyDeleteGinny, yes, it's really a rather stunning view from there.
DeleteThe gate is so exquisite looking! The epitaph is interesting
ReplyDeleteThe gate is certainly eye catching, Ro.
Deleteyes we call them lychgates here too especially at historical churches.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting to know that you have them over there as well, Amy.
DeleteThe gate would look even better if it were cleaned up a bit near the ground.
ReplyDeleteI knew about lychgates and have come across many on my regular trips to England, but had not known about the stone ones; most of the ones I have seen are made of wood.
A beautiful location for this church, on top of a hill overlooking a lake.
Meike, the gate as well as the church could do with a new coat of paint. But if it's just about cosmetics I suppose there might be other things higher on their priority list!
DeleteThe three arched gate has an almost Spanish feel to it, but sadly it could do with a coat of paint. Unusual to see such a building in Sweden needing paint - they are usually immaculate. It's a pleasant view from the top of the hill.
ReplyDeleteCarol, the Church of Sweden used to be a state church but since 2000 that is no longer the case, and a lot of people have left the CoS and no longer pay church tax. At the same time the CoS still have lots of very old buildings of cultural value (and in need of repair) to look after. So many parishes are struggling...
DeleteI know what lynchpin is and that means the part is important to what it is attached, so the name of the gate makes sense as your info says it marked the change from outside to inside. like Ginny, I like its looks better than the church. you really hit the jack pock on churches and beautiful photos on your mini vacation..
ReplyDelete