Storkyrkan

The west facade of Storkyrkan as it appeared in 1732, showing its still largely medieval exterior.

The presence of a church in Stockholm was indicated for the first time in 1279.[13][14] The consecration of the city church is furthermore mentioned in 1306, making Storkyrkan the oldest church in Stockholm.[13] The earliest history of the church is thus somewhat unclear: Stockholm was founded in the middle of the 13th century and it has been considered unlikely that the city would not have a functioning church until 1306. Tradition also holds that Birger Jarl founded the church. It is therefore possible that the church inaugurated in 1306 was preceded by another church, or that it was under construction for a long time, or perhaps re-dedicated in 1306.[13][15] Regardless, the oldest parts of the current building probably belong to the church which was inaugurated in 1306.[16] During the entire Middle Ages, the main patron saint of the church was Saint Nicholas. Several churches in the Baltic region from the 13th century are dedicated to Saint Nicholas, especially in cities where the Hanseatic League had a presence, as was the case in Stockholm.[17] The church was also dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Eric.[18] The church remained the only parish church of Stockholm, serving the entire city, until the 1590s.[14] In general, the medieval history of the church building is complex and difficult to determine in detail. There are few written sources, and a lack of ornaments has made it difficult to draw any conclusions about the age of the different parts on stylistic grounds.[3]

Originally, the church appears to have consisted of a nave with two aisles. It had a wooden ceiling supported by six pillars.[16][19] The building material was brick. The main entrance was probably located to the west, though side entrances may have existed in the north and south walls.[16][20] Stylistically, the church was part of a group of brick churches built in the area around Lake Mälaren at the time, including Strängnäs Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, Sigtuna and Skokloster Church.[21] The church was successively rebuilt and enlarged during the 14th and 15th centuries. Embellishing the church was a way for both the monarchs of Sweden and the citizens of Stockholm to demonstrate their power and influence.[22]

Medieval vault paintings from c. 1346 (later restored) in what used to be the first chapel of the church, dedicated to Saint Mary.

A donation to the church in 1346 by King Magnus IV and his wife Blanche of Namur probably indicates that the first of a number of chapels had been added to the church.[16] This chapel was originally dedicated to Saint Mary and was located at the south side of the east end of the church. The four bays that belonged to the chapel are still discernible in the interior of Storkyrkan.[23] Similar chapels were built at approximately the same time at Visby Cathedral and St. Mary's Church, Lübeck.[24] The chapel was decorated with Early Gothic murals in a style unusual for Swedish churches (later heavily restored).[16] A second chapel was added to the church sometime before 1361, and further chapels were built during the early 15th century. By the end of the Middle Ages, Storkyrkan contained more than 30 chapels or specifically dedicated altarpieces, an amount only comparable with the cathedrals of medieval Sweden.[6] The church thus grew piecemeal by the addition of chapels. Another set of murals, painted by Albertus Pictor and decorating the south west vaults (the paintings are currently not visible from the floor of the church) was also added during the 15th century.[25] Between 1474 and 1496, a major reconstruction of the church was carried out which then incorporated these chapels into a single, unified space and installed new vaults, creating a uniformly high ceiling.[26] The church was at approximately the same time also substantially expanded toward the east, while a choir was also added. This was partially because the church had become too small for the growing population of the city.[22] The choir was demolished during the 16th century.[12] The tower was also built in the early 15th century and was originally intended mainly as a defensive tower.[27] By the end of the 15th century Storkyrkan had acquired the basic shape and size that it still has.[12][8]

During the 16th century, the Reformation in Sweden led to important changes for the church. Catholicism was abandoned and Lutheranism was adopted. The state confiscated much of the property of the church, including large amounts of silver from the chapels and altars of Storkyrkan.[28] Although Sweden as a whole did not suffer from any extensive outbreaks of iconoclasm during the Reformation, some of the formerly Catholic sculptures of the church were vandalised.[29] When Christian II of Denmark resided in Stockholm in 1520, the church was fortified, a reflection of the political tensions which, among other things, led to the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1521. Adam van Düren was responsible for these works, and he also made an allegorical sculpture adorning the base of one of the pillars of the church.[30] It depicts a male and a female lion and an eel, together with a satirical inscription of dubious meaning.[29] Some further changes to the pillars, vaults and walls of the church were made during the reign of King John III in order to further harmonise the interior space.[31]

The fourth and final proposal by Carlberg for a new church spire

During the 18th century, the facade of Storkyrkan underwent far-reaching changes. The medieval exterior was completely transformed into a Baroque exterior. Nicodemus Tessin the Younger had put forward a proposal to remake the facade in a more contemporary style.[32] In 1736, Johan Eberhard Carlberg was employed to oversee repairs of the church tower. Relatively soon, the commission expanded to a complete overhaul of the exterior and a new tower spire. Both Carlberg and Carl Hårleman, who had succeeded Nicodemus Tessin the Younger as architect of the Royal Palace, instantly produced numerous proposals for a new tower spire, further indicating that the idea of modernising the exterior had been entertained for some time.[33] Particularly Hårleman seems to have viewed the issue from the standpoint that the church should be stylistically incorporated in the palace surroundings.[34] The two architects accused each other's designs for the church spire to have technical problems.[35] In the end, Carlberg's fourth proposal for a new spire, which was a compromise between his own and Hårleman's ideas, was adopted and Carlberg also designed the other changes to the facade.[36] This transformation of the exterior of the church from a Gothic to a Baroque building was carried out between 1736 and 1745. The exterior seen today is still largely the result of Carlberg's work.[37]

Further changes were made later in the same century, when architect Erik Palmstedt in 1777 redesigned the south side of the church courtyard in connection with the building of the stock exchange building on Stortorget.[38] At the same time, he also designed the stairwell attached to the south side of the tower, at the west end of the church; the stairwell was finished in 1778.[39] These and some other additions, later demolished, further underlined the Classical appearance of the church and its surroundings, in contrast to its medieval roots.[40] King Gustav III of Sweden wanted to go even further, demolish the entire church and replace it with a new church inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.[41]

The windows were equipped with new, wrought-iron tracery in Neo-Gothic style in the 1860s.[42][18] Some further changes, not least in order to increase the fire safety of the church, were carried out during the late 19th century.[18] A more thorough renovation was done in 1903–1909 under the guidance of architect Ernst Stenhammar.[18][43] Among other things, the whitewash which had covered the brick pillars and walls was removed, and the interior has been characterised by the exposed brick since then. It was done as an attempt to recreate a more "medieval" interior, but in fact the interior had probably always been whitewashed.[18][42] Another comprehensive renovation was carried out 1952–54.[18] The church was raised to the status of cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of Stockholm in 1942.[44]

The building material of the church is brick. The base of the church is strengthened with sandstone and granite.[74][75] Storkyrkan is "of modest proportions";[8] it is 63 metres (207 ft) long and 37.2 metres (122 ft) wide.[3] The exterior of the church is uniformly Baroque, and only the stairwell added by Palmstedt is in a slightly different style.[37] The north and south facades are divided by buttresses treated as pilasters. Otherwise, the elements of the exterior are oriented horizontally rather than vertically. The tower and the gables of the church are decorated with pilasters and mouldings, in a simplified version of Carlberg's original proposal.[75] At the south east corner of the church, a sundial from the 16th century is attached to the wall.[74] A large memorial plaque with an inscription in Latin is placed in the middle of the east wall of the church, commemorating the rebuilding of the church in the 18th century.[76] 28 windows supply the interior with light.[76] The main entrance is in the base of the tower at the west end of the church. Another entrance is located in the north wall, and there are two lesser entrances to the south.[77]

Storkyrkan is a hall church, five bays wide and eight bays long.[78] The plan is that of an irregular rectangle, as the form of the building had to be adapted to pre-existing adjacent streets.[75] Brick vaults supported by pillars and richly articulated compound piers cover the entire interior.[79][6] The eight central bays are covered with rib vaults of a complex and unusual design.[6] The rest of the church has groin vaults.[79] The interior space is divided by the central nave, with open benches on either side.[80] The choir floor is three steps higher than the rest of the church and limited by wrought iron fences to the north and south.[81] Three galleries are placed in the west of the interior, one of which contains the church organ.[80] Most of the windows are clear, but the north westernmost window is decorated with stained glass made by Einar Forseth in the 20th century.[82] The stained glass rose window in the east wall was donated to the church in 1858. It was made in France.[83]

The silver altarpiece

The main altarpiece of Storkyrkan is the so-called silver altarpiece (Swedish: silveraltaret). It was donated by Margareta Pedersdotter, widow of Johan Adler Salvius, in 1652.[84] The altarpiece consists of a central part and two wings; the wings were made somewhat later than the middle section.[84] The Baroque altarpiece was made in the workshop of Eustachius Erdmüller in Hamburg.[85] It is made of ebony and silver. The central part is divided into three levels above a predella and surmounted by a statuette of the resurrected Christ. Each of the levels contains a panel with a silver relief. The reliefs depict, from bottom to top, the Crucifixion, the Entombment and Christ in realm of the dead. The relief on the predella depicts the Last Supper.[86] The relief depicting the Crucifixion is the largest, and its composition may have been inspired by the painting Christ on the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens from 1620.[87] Free-standing silver statuettes flank the central panels. Moses and John the Baptist flank the Crucifixion panel. The second and third panel are flanked by the Four Evangelists.[88]

During the Middle Ages, the church possessed several additional altarpieces. Some of these have been preserved in other locations. The altarpiece currently in Boglösa Church in Uppland was made for Storkyrkan in the 15th century but sold sometime between 1478 and 1481. The altarpiece currently in Jäder Church in Södermanland originally also belonged to Storkyrkan. A third altarpiece, made in Lübeck in 1468, probably by Hermen Rode, is preserved in the Swedish History Museum.[89] Another altarpiece was donated to Storkyrkan in 1629 by Carl Gyllenhielm, who had taken it as loot from Braniewo in present-day Poland. After the silver altarpiece was installed, Gyllenhielm's altarpiece became redundant and was eventually given away. Only the central part of it still exists, and is today located in Kläckeberga Church in Småland.[90]

Saint George and the Dragon

North of the choir stands a large, late medieval equestrian statue depicting the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. It has been described as "the most impressive medieval piece of art" as well as "the most curious memorial" in Storkyrkan.[25][91] The statue is around 3.5 metres (11 ft) tall and depicts the saint on horseback, fighting the dragon.[92] A subsidiary group shows the princess that the saint is rescuing from the dragon, accompanied by the symbolic Lamb of God.[93] The plinth is furthermore decorated with scenes from the legend of Saint George.[94]

It was commissioned by regent Sten Sture the Elder as a funerary monument for him and his wife, after his victory over Danish troops at the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471.[95] Sten Sture had prayed to the saint to protect the army during the battle.[96] The sculpture was inaugurated in 1489.[96] Saint George and the Dragon does not carry any signature, but is widely attributed to Bernt Notke, both on stylistic grounds and by deduction from archival sources.[97][98] The sculpture has been interpreted, and was probably intended, as not only a religious work of art, but also as a political as well as a personal monument to Sten Sture and his victory over the Danish army.[99]

The church is also in possession of a crucifix, possibly also made by Notke or an artist working in the same tradition.[100][101] The crucifix is made of oak and has lost its earlier polychromy.[101] It was probably made some time between 1475 and 1500.[100][102] A rood cross made c. 1400 previously belonged to Storkyrkan but is today on display at the Museum of Medieval Stockholm.[100]

The baptismal font of the church was made in 1514, according to an inscription on its side. It belongs to a group of baptismal fonts, similar in style, found in central and northern Sweden. It is made of limestone from Uppland.[100][103]

A 370 centimetres (150 in) tall seven-branched bronze candelabrum, probably made at the end of the 15th century, belongs to the church.[104] It is decorated with sculptures of lions at its foot, and with two human faces on the shaft. Such candelabra are unusual in Sweden (another example exists in Lund Cathedral) but more common in Germany, where it was probably made.[100]

In 1564, the helmet and spurs of Saint Olaf, the oldest preserved war trophies taken by Swedish troops, were put on display in Storkyrkan. In the 1860s they were moved to the Swedish History Museum.[105]

Vädersolstavlan

The oldest known depiction of Stockholm in colour is the so-called Vädersolstavlan (The sun dog painting), which was donated to the church in 1535 by Olaus Magnus. It was painted by Urban målare. The currently visible painting is however a copy from 1636, made by Jacob Heinrich Elbfas; judging from building details in the painting, it appears to be a faithful reproduction.[106] The painting depicts Stockholm as it appeared in the early 16th century, and above it a sun dog, an atmospheric optical phenomenon, observed over Stockholm on 20 April 1535.[106] The painting was restored in 1998–99.[107]

Storkyrkan houses two monumental paintings by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl, The Crucifixion and The Last Judgment, painted in 1695 and 1696 respectively. They were originally intended to be displayed in the Royal Chapel at Tre Kronor but were saved from the fire which destroyed the castle and instead put on display in Storkyrkan. The Crucifixion is 7.4 metres (24 ft) tall, The Last Judgment more than 10 metres (33 ft).[108]

Among the other paintings in the church, there is an epitaph taken as war loot from Frombork in 1626 and a 17th-century Russian icon of Saint Nicholas probably made in Moscow, which was seized by Swedish troops after a battle in 1703 and donated to the church by General Carl Magnus Stuart.[109]

One of the royal pews

The pulpit of the church is attached to one of the pillars on the north side of the nave. It was designed and constructed by Burchard Precht between 1698 and 1702. It is made of gilt wood and decorated with mouldings and reliefs.[110][82] One bay east of the pulpit are the two royal pews, one attached to the north and the other to the south pillar of the nave. They are made of two parts. The lower is a seating area closed in by a decorated wooden barrier. Originally a throne was placed in each of the pews. The upper part of each pew is a gilt wooden canopy in the form of an oversize royal crown carried by angelic sculptures against a background in the form of an imitated drapery. The royal pews, intended for the royal family, were designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and constructed by Burchard Precht.[82]

Until the practice was abolished during the 19th century, burials within the church were considered prestigious and led to the church being crowded with graves.[111] The church still contains a large number of decorated graves and other funerary monuments. Among these, the graves of the family of Jesper Mattson Cruus af Edeby and the grave of Johan Adler Salvius are among the most elaborate.[112] There is also a profusion of memorial plaques attached to the walls; the one celebrating the memory of Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and Carl Gustav Tessin is one of the more recent, made by sculptor Carl Milles.[113]

One of the oldest votive ships in the world comes from Storkyrkan. It dates from the 17th century and is today kept in the Maritime Museum in Stockholm. A copy hangs in the church.[114][115]