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Rö Church ( sv, Rö kyrka) is a medieval
The church is a single-nave Gothic architecture, Gothic church built by roughly hewn stones and some details in brick. It retains much of its original medieval atmosphere despite later reconstructions. The interior is dominated by the decorated medieval brick vaults. The frescos date from the late 15th century and are made by an unknown artist in a style not represented in any other church nearby. They depict both traditional Christian imagery such as the Four Evangelists, the Final Judgement and saints (including the Nordic saints Saint Olaf, Eric IX of Sweden, Saint Eric and Bridget of Sweden, Saint Bridget), but also a lively scene depicting the story of the Grateful dead (folklore), grateful dead.
The church also houses some noteworthy furnishings. A Romanesque art, Romanesque Madonna (art), Madonna, the so-called ''Rö Madonna'', is the most unusual. Dating from the end of the 12th century or early 13th, it most probably belonged to the first, wooden church. Its origins are unknown, and there are no stylistically comparable pieces of art in Sweden. It has been suggested that it may be an England, English work of art.
The church furthermore houses an additional three medieval wooden sculptures, of Saint Olaf, Saint Eric and Saint Stephen. The triumphal cross is from the 15th century. Of later date is the unusual collection of church silver, including a unique set of bridal jewellery from the 18th century.
The entrance to the church cemetery is an unusual combination of lychgate and bell tower, erected in 1806-07. It houses two church bells, made in 1749 and 1791 respectively. There is also a burial chapel for the local Swedish nobility, aristocratic family Silverstolpe on the grounds.
Official site (in Swedish)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ro Church Buildings and structures in Stockholm County 13th-century churches in Sweden Church frescos in Sweden Churches in the Diocese of Uppsala Churches converted from the Roman Catholic Church to the Church of Sweden
Rö Church ( sv, Rö kyrka) is a medieval Lutheran
Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...
church in the Archdiocese of Uppsala
The Archdiocese of Uppsala ( sv, Uppsala ärkestift) is one of the thirteen dioceses of the Church of Sweden and the only one having the status of an archdiocese.
Lutheran archdiocese
Uppsala is the seat of the Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala. ...
in Stockholm County
Stockholm County ( sv, Stockholms län, link=no ) is a county or '' län'' (in Swedish) on the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden. It borders Uppsala County and Södermanland County. It also borders Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The city of Stoc ...
, Sweden.
History
The first church on the site was probably a wooden church. It was replaced with the presently visible stone church during the second half of the 13th century, dedicated toSaint Olaf
Olaf II Haraldsson ( – 29 July 1030), later known as Saint Olaf (and traditionally as St. Olave), was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. Son of Harald Grenske, a petty king in Vestfold, Norway, he was posthumously given the title '' Rex Per ...
. Technical details indicate that the masons may have come from Gotland
Gotland (, ; ''Gutland'' in Gutnish), also historically spelled Gottland or Gothland (), is Sweden's largest island. It is also a province, county, municipality, and diocese. The province includes the islands of Fårö and Gotska Sandön to th ...
. The church received internal brick vaults circa 1475, decorated with frescos. The church was damaged by fire during the 16th or 17th century and in connection with the restoration, two rough buttress
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall. Buttresses are fairly common on more ancient buildings, as a means of providing support to act against the lateral ( ...
es were added externally. The church suffered a period of neglect during the 17th and early 18th centuries but was renovated in 1747, when the choir
A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which s ...
was rebuilt.
Architecture
The church is a single-nave Gothic architecture, Gothic church built by roughly hewn stones and some details in brick. It retains much of its original medieval atmosphere despite later reconstructions. The interior is dominated by the decorated medieval brick vaults. The frescos date from the late 15th century and are made by an unknown artist in a style not represented in any other church nearby. They depict both traditional Christian imagery such as the Four Evangelists, the Final Judgement and saints (including the Nordic saints Saint Olaf, Eric IX of Sweden, Saint Eric and Bridget of Sweden, Saint Bridget), but also a lively scene depicting the story of the Grateful dead (folklore), grateful dead.
The church also houses some noteworthy furnishings. A Romanesque art, Romanesque Madonna (art), Madonna, the so-called ''Rö Madonna'', is the most unusual. Dating from the end of the 12th century or early 13th, it most probably belonged to the first, wooden church. Its origins are unknown, and there are no stylistically comparable pieces of art in Sweden. It has been suggested that it may be an England, English work of art.
The church furthermore houses an additional three medieval wooden sculptures, of Saint Olaf, Saint Eric and Saint Stephen. The triumphal cross is from the 15th century. Of later date is the unusual collection of church silver, including a unique set of bridal jewellery from the 18th century.
The entrance to the church cemetery is an unusual combination of lychgate and bell tower, erected in 1806-07. It houses two church bells, made in 1749 and 1791 respectively. There is also a burial chapel for the local Swedish nobility, aristocratic family Silverstolpe on the grounds.
References
External links
Official site (in Swedish)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ro Church Buildings and structures in Stockholm County 13th-century churches in Sweden Church frescos in Sweden Churches in the Diocese of Uppsala Churches converted from the Roman Catholic Church to the Church of Sweden