At the end of the 13th century a rebuilding of an ancient church was
begun and the nave was already built, but the tower had to be left unfinished
and the 12th century chancel with its apse is still standing. This perhaps
was an outcome of the civil war between Visby and the countryside in 1288.
The interior is beautiful with its painted decorations: the ornaments in
the rood arch were after the completion of the nave, the "Passion master"
painted his friezes round the nave about 1450 and the luxuriant acanthus
foliage in the apse is dated 1771, having its counterpart in the decoration
of the panelwork dividing the nave from the tower. Singularly well preserved
is the baptismal font by the 12th century master "Majestatis"
(Magister Majestatis Domini), who also worked at the cathedral in Lund.
The Rood originates from the workshop of the master of the Viklau Madonna.
The altar piece was painted in 1667 and the pulpit was made in 1699.
Photo Hans Hemlin
Text Dr. Bengt G Söderberg
©1997 Created by Sören_Gannholm