On our way back from Vänga Kvarn (mill), we also stopped at Vänga kyrka (church).
Their website confirms that the present church was built in 1905-06; and before that, there had been at least three older churches in the same place. The first wooden church was built as early as back in the 11th century, and is the oldest of its kind that has been dated in the province of Västergötland. That one was later replaced by another wooden church; which was in turn replaced by a stone church in the 17th century; which was then replaced by the present church, built of local red granite.
I had been hoping the church would also be open to have a look inside, but it wasn't. However, the website also informs me that some items from the 17th c. church were transferred to the present one: the altarpiece, the pulpit and the font. On the website you can also have a look around the inside of the church. (The website is in Swedish but I hope the film works internationally as well. Please note that by clicking on the arrows you can also zoom in and out!)
It looks an elegant building. I wonder what the other churches, there before it, looked like.
ReplyDeleteWell, as I said in the post, the first two were made of wood, and probably very small and simple. You may get an idea by reading a Wikipedia post about our only still preserved medieval stave church (also found not very far from here, in Hedared, Västergötland). That one, from around 1500, originally "had only walls and a roof, earth floor and no windows".
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedared_stave_church
the wooden churches are what I loved most but they are the ones that will not last for centuries, this church did a good thing to keep tearing down the bad and building better and this one really beautiful church, and the grounds fit it perfectly
ReplyDeleteSandra, this one definitely looks like it has the potential to remain standing for a while! :)
DeleteKind of cool that a church would have a headstone. But of course, the church is GONE, so it kind of makes sense. I guess it is really a marker. The church looks like stone or brick. But I guess the blocks are made from granite, which I don't know a thing about. Except they make kitchen countertops from it.
ReplyDeleteGinny, raising a memorial stone with an inscription is a traditional way of preserving history that goes way back... Granite is a hard and durable kind of rock that comes in a variety of colours and texture.
DeleteHi Monica, I've enjoyed this and previous posts from your staycation. Always love seeing photos of the beautiful area in which you live.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you're following, Pauline :)
DeleteIn many of the churches I have visited in England and Germany, parts or the entire original stone building has been incorporated in bigger buildings, or added to over the centuries. Often, like in this case, the very first building was of wood and didn‘t last long.
ReplyDeleteMeike, a lot of old stone churches here to have just been changed and added to over the centuries here as well, but it seems in this case they chose to go another way and start over. The website does not go into all the details but I presume that a different kind of stone (and perhaps not as durable) was probably used for the older stone church.
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