The rather well preserved "castal" is a watchtower and local
stronghold from the 12th century. The church's exterior attracts the visitors
attention chiefly through the magnificent nave portal, executed in the first
half of the 14th century by a craftsman in the workshop of "Egypticus";
the capital sculptures belong to the famous ones on the island. The west
part of the building, which now seems to be a tower, is in reality a remnant
of the nave of an older church. The figure frieze in the portal shows the
following scenes: the Lord admonishes Adam and Eve, the Fall of Man, the
Expulsion from Paradise, the Fratricide of Cain, inspired by the grinning
Devil, the Lord exiles Cain, who has put on a traveller's hat and a raincloak,
Noah peeping out of the iron-fitted ark. In the beautiful interior the "Passion
master" has decorated the northern wall of the nave. Note the festive
rococo decorations on the panelwork in the west painted by Magnus Möller
from Visby. A prominent work of art is the altar piece from the end of the
14th century.
Photo Hans Hemlin
Text Dr. Bengt G Söderberg
©1997 Created by Sören_Gannholm