Strängnäs Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strängnäs Cathedral |
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Strängnäs Cathedral
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 Strängnäs Cathedral
Location in Södermanland
Strängnäs Cathedral
Location in Sweden
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| 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 beautiful and historic church in Strängnäs, Sweden. It's a "cathedral," which means it's the main church for a large area called a "diocese." Since the Protestant Reformation, it has been part of the Church of Sweden.
Contents
Exploring Strängnäs Cathedral's Design
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 building was finished by 1330. Later, a special room for church items (sacristy), towers, and side chapels were added. The tall, unique tower top you see today was built in 1723.
The cathedral is mostly made of bricks. This style is known as Brick Gothic, which 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 special because it was where pagan rituals used to happen. It was also where the missionary Saint Eskil was killed in the mid-1000s. The wooden church was later replaced with the stone and brick building around 1340, after Strängnäs became a diocese.
Inside, the cathedral has a mix of old and new decorations. The main part of the church (nave), the area around the altar (chancel), and the altar itself (sanctuary) look very traditional. A very large, three-part altarpiece (reredos) stands out at the east end. However, some of the smaller side chapels have been updated with modern altars and abstract art.
Famous People Buried Here
Strängnäs Cathedral is the resting place for several important historical figures. These include Charles IX of Sweden, Sten Sture the Elder, Maria of Palatinate-Simmern, and Gustaf Otto Stenbock.
In 2018, some very old and valuable items, called burial regalia, were taken from the cathedral. These were two crowns and an orb that belonged to King Charles IX and Queen Christina. Luckily, the items were found and returned in 2019.
Strängnäs Cathedral Library: A Treasure of Books
Strängnäs Cathedral Library is one of the oldest libraries in Sweden that is still working today. Its story began in 1316. That year, a widow donated books to the Strängnäs Dominican monastery. Bishops Kort Rogge and John Matthiæ later helped build up the library's collection.
In the 1600s, Christina, Queen of Sweden, added many books. These books were often taken from cities like Prague during wars. Over the 1700s, more books were added through gifts from learned church leaders. The library is now in a special "Library chancel" in the cathedral's northwest corner. Many of its printed books can be found in LIBRIS, Sweden's national library search service.
Images for kids
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Altar
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Pulpit
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Epitaph
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Ceiling
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Gustaf Otto Stenbock memorial
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Strängnäs para niños
