A view of the beautiful Visby Cathedral in front of the Baltic Sea. The cathedral is made of limestone from Gotland and was designed as a three-aisled Romanesque basilica, influenced by German models (particularly from Rhineland). It is composed of a square chancel, a square western tower, and two octagonal towers. The domes of all three towers burned down in the 18th century and were replaced with the current ones. RPBaiao/Shutterstock
Once a strategic point for European merchants due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea, the old medieval town of Visby is filled with beautiful architecture. On the Swedish island of Gotland, one building in particular stands out: the Visby Cathedral.
Originally built as a church dedicated to St. Mary in the 12th century, it was rebuilt in the 13th century by the Hanseatic League, an organization formed by German merchant guilds. At that time, it dominated commercial activity in Northern Europe, and many Germans lived in Gotland.
Used both as a place of devotion and as a warehouse for the merchants’ goods, what makes the Visby Domkyrka (cathedral) special is that it survived an attack in 1525, when all the other churches of Visby burned down.
The church isn’t only of archaeological importance, but it’s also an architectural gem. The three-aisled Romanesque church seen today has had a few renovations over the years, most recently in 1985. Two towers and a choir were added between 1230 and 1250. In 1572, the church became a cathedral.
Stylistically, the cathedral resembles medieval German and French models in its Gothic architecture, as seen in the vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, and stained glass windows. Other church highlights include the organs, religious artwork, gargoyles, chandeliers, and modern stained glass windows.
Bright, spacious, and airy, it isn’t only the most important church in Gotland, but it’s also one of the best-preserved medieval churches in Sweden.
The south façade of Visby cathedral is an impressive example of the Romanesque style. To the left is the great chapel, and to the right is the so-called bridal portal. This magnificent portal dates from the 13th century and is decorated with floral ornaments and influences from Westphalia, as many Germans who lived in Gotland originally came from there. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
The façade of the great chapel on the south side of Visby Cathedral distinguishes itself from the rest of the building with its extensive decoration on top of its undecorated walls. Original buttresses, pinnacles, and gargoyles (a rare occurrence in Swedish medieval churches) combine to form an exquisite Gothic façade. In the upper part of the church’s façade, most elements date from the 1903 renovation of architect Axel Haig, with the large sculpture of Christ and surrounding Gothic revival framing elements. Nadezhda Kharitonova/Shutterstock
The south entrance of the cathedral is in the baroque style with a portal that contains the monogram of Christian IV of Denmark and the coat of arms of Jens Hög, a former governor of Gotland. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
In 1611, a fire damaged some of the eastern parts of the cathedral. The spires of the east towers were replaced by wooden baroque spires in 1761. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
The church’s interior, composed of two aisles and a central nave, is as beautiful as its exterior. Yellow plaster covers the walls and the vaults, and the rest is covered with white limestone. The interior is irregular because of the renovations throughout the centuries. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
The ribbed vaults present an example of Gothic architecture. Behind a 13th-century wooden sculpture of Christ are stained glass windows that bring natural light into the church. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
None of the original medieval stained-glass windows remain. Here are three colorful stained-glass windows, framed by pointed arch windows and wooden flying buttresses. At the right of these Gothic windows is one of the church’s six organs. Danita Delimont/Shutterstock
An illuminated view of the interior highlights a wooden pulpit and central chandelier. Scandphoto/Shutterstock
Ariane Triebswetter
Author
Ariane Triebswetter is an international freelance journalist, with a background in modern literature and classical music.
