Strängnäs Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strängnäs Cathedral |
|
|---|---|
Strängnäs Cathedral
|
|
 Strängnäs Cathedral
Location in Södermanland
Strängnäs Cathedral
Location in Sweden
|
|
| 59°22′32.16″N 17°02′04.56″E / 59.3756000°N 17.0346000°E | |
| Location | Strängnäs |
| Country |  Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1260 |
| Dedication | St Peter & St Paul |
| Consecrated | 1291 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Spire height | 75 m (246 ft 1 in) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Strängnäs |
Strängnäs Cathedral (Swedish: Strängnäs domkyrka) is a very old and important church in Strängnäs, Sweden. It is a cathedral, which means it's the main church for the Church of Sweden in its area.
Contents
History and Design of the Cathedral
Building the cathedral started around the year 1260. It was officially opened in 1291. More parts were added during the 1300s and 1400s. The main church was finished by 1330. Later, a sacristy (a room for church items), towers, and side chapels were built. The tall, special tower roof you see today was added in 1723.
The cathedral is mostly built from bricks. This style is called Brick Gothic and is common in Scandinavia. The very first church on this spot was made of wood. It was built in the early 1100s. This place was important because it was where Saint Eskil, a missionary, was killed in the mid-1000s. The wooden church was replaced with stone and brick around 1240. This happened shortly after Strängnäs became a diocese, which is an area managed by a bishop.
Inside, the cathedral has a mix of old and new decorations. The main part of the church, called the nave, and the area around the altar are very traditional. A large, carved altar piece, called a triptych reredos, stands at the east end. However, some of the smaller chapels have been updated. They now have modern altars and abstract art.
Important Burials
Many important people are buried in Strängnäs Cathedral. These include Charles IX of Sweden, Sten Sture the Elder, Maria of Palatinate-Simmern, and Gustaf Otto Stenbock.
In July 2018, some valuable items, including two crowns and an orb belonging to King Charles IX and Queen Christina, were taken from the cathedral. These items are called burial regalia. Luckily, in February 2019, it was reported that these items had been found.
Strängnäs Cathedral Library
Strängnäs Cathedral Library is one of the oldest libraries in Sweden that is still working today. Its history goes back to 1316. That year, a widow donated books to the Dominican monastery in Strängnäs. Bishops Kort Rogge and John Matthiæ later helped the library grow.
In the 1600s, Christina, Queen of Sweden, added many books to the library. These books came from cities like Prague and Olmutz. During the 1700s, more books were added through gifts from learned church leaders. In the 1800s, the library was kept in the old school building's main hall. Today, it is in a special Library chancel (a small chapel) in the cathedral's northwest corner.
A detailed list of the library's books was published in 1863 by Dr. Henrik Aminson. Most of the printed books are now listed in Libris, which is Sweden's national search service for libraries. A new printed catalog in two volumes was published in 2017.
Gallery
-
Altar
-
Pulpit
-
Epitaph
-
Ceiling
-
Gustaf Otto Stenbock memorial
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Strängnäs para niños
