Mora Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mora Church |
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Mora kyrka
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Mora Church in October 2010
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| Location | Mora |
| Country | Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
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| Parish | Mora |
| Diocese | Västerås |
Mora Church (called Mora kyrka in Swedish) is a beautiful church building located in Mora, a town in Sweden. It is part of the Church of Sweden and serves the Mora Parish. Many people know this church because it stands close to the finish line of the famous Vasaloppet ski race.
This church is quite large and grand, especially compared to other churches nearby. This is because, a long time ago in the Middle Ages, the entire northern part of Dalarna was part of the Mora Parish. Mora Church was the main church for this huge area.
History of Mora Church
Mora Church has a long and interesting history. It has been dedicated to Saint Michael, an important archangel, for many centuries. This dedication happened even before the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. The Reformation led to the creation of the Church of Sweden.
Saint Michael's Connection
You can see a statue of Saint Michael fighting a dragon near the church's main gates. This image of Michael and the dragon became the official symbol, or coat of arms, for the town of Mora in 1946. It is still used today.
It's a bit of a mystery why the church was dedicated to Saint Michael. Some people think it might have been a mix-up with Saint Olof, a well-known Scandinavian saint. However, there is no clear answer as to why this might have happened.
Fun Facts About Mora Church
- The church is a landmark for the famous Vasaloppet ski race. Skiers finish their long journey right near this historic building.
- The image of Saint Michael fighting the dragon, seen at the church, is now the official symbol of the town of Mora.
- Being so large, Mora Church shows how important it was as a center for a huge area in medieval times.
