Granhult Church in Småland is Sweden's oldest wooden church. This fine little wooden church, dating from the 1220s, survived against all odds and is today a fascinating attraction. Not least, it is fantastic to see all the old paintings and decorations in wood.
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Granhult church
Granhult Church is an exceptionally well-preserved medieval church. It's charming on the outside, but it's most interesting to step inside and see the interiors.
Granhult's church is located in Norrhult in Småland, about four miles north-east of Växjö.
Sweden's oldest wooden church
Granhult's church was built in the 13th century, so the small wooden building is around 800 years old. Isn't that fascinating?
The church has of course been rebuilt and changed over the years. The sacristy was built in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the bell tower and the porch were built, as well as the stiglucka, the small building that serves as a gateway.
The fight against Esaias Tegnér - to keep the church
The fact that Granhult's church is still standing today is not a matter of course. In the early 19th century there was a large increase in population and in connection with this new churches were built, which were larger and more functional. Esaias Tegnér advocated that the old medieval churches should be demolished, and that was the fate that met most of these churches.
Not everyone liked Esaias Tegnér's large neoclassical churches, and some condescendingly called them 'Tegnér barns'. The locals in Granhult wanted not that their church would be demolished. They had to fight hard for their cause, and were eventually allowed to keep the building, even though it was no longer used as a church. Thanks to this, today we can step inside this medieval old wooden church.
Beautiful interiors
Entering Granhult's church is truly amazing. The small building is richly decorated with interiors dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. The altarpiece and crucifix, for example, were made by Torbern Röding in 1699.
On the south wall of the chancel, there is a 'hagioscope', a peephole where people could take part in the service even if they were not welcome, for example because of a contagious disease.
The pulpit was made in 1669 on behalf of the vicar of Nottebäck. However, the beautiful acoustic roof (as the pulpit roof is apparently called) is older and belonged to an earlier pulpit.
Most of the paintings in the choir and nave were made by the church decorator Johan Christian Zschotzscher in 1753, depicting motifs from the fourth and fifth chapters of the Book of Revelation.
Sweden's oldest wooden church also contains several items from the Middle Ages. These include a late medieval priest's bell (used when a Catholic priest lifts the wafer), a St Olav's cabinet from the 14th century and a Madonna sculpture in oak from 1475.
The cute little wooden organ is much more recent, built in 1969, but still fits nicely into the church.
The sacristy was probably built in the 17th century, when it was also decorated with fine paintings. The murals have the following motifs:
- God warns Adam and Eve
- The fall from grace
- The expulsion from paradise
- Abraham's sacrifice
In summary, we can say that this was a very nice and interesting little church visit. If you have the roads past Granhult's church, do not hesitate to look in!
See more in the neighbourhood
If you like churches, take the opportunity to see Dädesjö Old Church, which is only 15 minutes away by car. You can also continue to Växjö, where you can see Växjö Cathedral, Småland Museum and more, Teleborg Castle and Kronoberg castle ruins. It is also interesting to visit Huseby mill, and it is also not too far to the beautiful city centre. the coastal town of Kalmar.
Have you visited Granhult Church - Sweden's oldest wooden church? Do you like visiting old churches? Perhaps you have more tips on nice churches to visit?
Facts about Granhult's church
- Address: Granhult 2, Norrhult
- Pin: Växjö Diocese
- Parish: Nottebäck parish
- Municipality: Uppvidinge
- County: Kronoberg County
- Landscape: Småland
- Inaugurated: 1220s
- Faith communities: Church of Sweden
- Read more: You can find more information at church website
History of Granhult Church
- 1220s: Sweden's oldest wooden church was built (according to dendrochronological analysis of the timber).
17th to 18th century
- 17th century: The sacristy was built and painted.
- 1703: The bell tower was built.
- 1723: The armoury was built.
- 1731: The escape hatch was erected.
- 18th century: New windows were installed, replacing the old ones.
19th century to present
- 1818: The small bell was recast after it fell down the hill and cracked.
- 1837: The church was taken out of use when, together with the neighbouring parish, "Nottebäck with Granhult Parish" was formed with the newly built Nottebäck Church in Nottebäck. The parishioners refused to have Granhult's church demolished.
- 1879: Granhult's church was again authorised to serve as a place of worship.
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Kalmar läns museum - about the regal ship Kronan
Things to do in Kalmar - 17 tips for experiences and attractions
Lessebo hand-paper mill - try making paper
The emigrant village in Småland - in the footsteps of Vilhelm Moberg
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Solan says:
I've never heard of the Hagio cabinet. Yet another must-visit attraction.
Now calm down, we won't be able to see everything you suggest!
24 June 2021 - 8:00
Helena says:
24 June 2021 - 17:27
Role o Carina says:
Isn't it fantastic with old wooden churches, what a construction they have done!
We also visit churches on our motorhome trips.
Happy Midsummer...
24 June 2021 - 8:32
Helena says:
Truly fascinating! Wishing you a nice midsummer!!!
24 June 2021 - 17:29
Jörgen A says:
Aren't old churches fantastic? In fact, we usually plan our travel route based on old churches. It is guaranteed to be longer than the "straight track" but oh what a lot of nice things you get to see! We have an incredible cultural heritage in our old churches that are well worth preserving. We have visited Granhult, an incredibly beautiful church.
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There are many fine churches in Småland; the Swedish Church's leaflet on the churches of Högland and Njudj is a good place to look. The Njudung churches are also churches that escaped the "Tegnér barns":
https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/Sve/Bin%c3%a4rfiler/Filer/H%c3%b6glandets%20kyrkor.pdf
Visit Småland is also good to look at, covering a few more churches:
https://www.visitsmaland.se/sv/upplevelser/kultur-och-historia/sevarda-kyrkor
We have visited so many churches by now that it is almost difficult to choose, haha. But one church that we always come back to is Älvros old church a bit east of Sveg along the E45 motorway. Likewise Härkeberga church outside Enköping, absolutely fantastic paintings by Albertus Pictor. A little more "murderous" is Bottnaryd's church, a red wooden church with incredibly beautiful paintings. Bottnaryd is located along national road 40, just under 25 km west of Jönköping. Rimbo church with its very well-preserved paintings is also well worth a visit.
24 June 2021 - 9:31
Helena says:
25 June 2021 - 10:41
Ama de casa says:
Have fun!
24 June 2021 - 9:37
Helena says:
25 June 2021 - 10:41
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:
I've driven past the turnoff here hundreds of times but never been here. And I love old churches. Will make sure to go there already next week as we will be in Vetlanda then. Thanks for the tip! And there are many other nice old churches a few miles away (around Vetlanda) such as Myresjö old church and Lannaskede old church.
24 June 2021 - 9:41
Helena says:
25 June 2021 - 10:42
BP says:
That church was really cute and incredibly charming. The paintings inside the small church were really nice. Somehow I had not expected these paintings at all considering the material is wood.
24 June 2021 - 18:35
Helena says:
25 June 2021 - 10:42