Tuesday, 12 August - Part 3
Pelarne Church
Near the little village Sevedstorp (nowadays also known as 'Bullerbyn', cf previous post), we also made a short stop at Pelarne church, with separate belfry (bell tower); situated up on a little hill just by the road. The church wasn't open, but we walked around it.
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This church is one of only a few old wooden churches left in Sweden that date back as far as to medeival times. The oldest part of this church is believed to be from the early 1200s; and if so may even be the oldest wooden church still in use.
On June 30, 1905, Samuel August Ericsson (1875-1969) och Hanna Jonsson (1879-1961) were married in this church. Two years later, their daughter was born - who was to grow up to become the famous author Astrid Lindgren (cf. my previous three posts from this trip).
On or near the big cross to the left in this photo was a sign saying that "This cross was raised in 1963 in memory of the around 7000 parishioners who have their final resting place here in the old churchyard, which served as cemetery until 1882." (A few old headstones, probably belonging to well-known and "important" people, can still be seen in the churchyard.)
Below the hill, at the crossroads, the b&w sign (Kyrkogård) points towards the new cemetery (we did not go down there), while the blue one to the left points towards a walking trail.
Linking to Skywatch Friday
wow everything looks so Viking! I'm loving the buildings and summer colour of the flowers. Looks like you're having a great warm season there.
ReplyDeleteAmy, most of July was too hot for my liking, but the week in August when we were travelling was rather perfect for that purpose. :)
DeleteGood grief, this belltower!!! It does look from another time and place for sure.
ReplyDeleteGinny, it's defnitely a "reminder of history"!
DeleteMind boggling to think about this church dating back to the 1200s!!
ReplyDeleteSPP I always feel a bit extra "in awe" of those places where one knows people have been gathering for the same purpose for many centuries.
DeleteLayered with centuries of faith, memory, and the tender thread that ties Astrid Lindgren’s own story back to this little wooden church
ReplyDeleteRo, when we were there, I did not know about Astrid's parents getting married there - only found that out while preparing this post!
DeleteAmazing bell tower.
ReplyDeleteJim, I'm not sure I've ever seen a separate bell tower with steeple that high
DeleteThe church is so interesting - such history in its walls and grounds.
ReplyDeleteJanice, I wish we'd been able to go inside as well!
DeleteAn unusual and interesting church for sure, shame you couldn‘t go inside.
ReplyDeleteMeike, alas it seems to have become increasingly rare for countryside churches to be left open these days, if no one can keep watch. I guess there have been too many thefts etc in later years...
Deleteits really a beautiful church and the is realllyyyy old. wow. all churches used to be open but not now.. they are not even safe during a church service
ReplyDeleteSandra, sadly that's true as well...
DeleteA beautiful and historic place.
ReplyDeleteAnd with that blue sky behind it, it stood out even more, Yogi! :)
DeleteWhat an interesting bellfry.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
amypie is right, it does look Viking! did not think of that but I wonder if vikings went to church, ha ha that bell tower steeple is stunning and also amazing. I LOVE the front door photo. its is a really beautiful old church, would love to see the inside
ReplyDeleteSandra, Vikings and Christian faith did "overlap"; partly by the Vikings coming across Christianity abroad, partly by missionaries coming to preach it here. What we call Viking Age was ~ 800-1050 though. There are no whole churches preserved from back then, only traces to indicate some did exist even then. This one at Pelarne is a couple of hundred years too young to belong to that period, though...
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