Habo kyrka och Bottnaryds kyrka - fantastiska träkyrkor

Habo Church and Bottnaryd Church are two fantastically beautiful wooden churches in Västergötland and Småland respectively. Both churches are from the 17th century and both are richly decorated with fantastic paintings. These churches are well worth a visit, whether you are interested in church history or not.

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Habo church

Habo Church has sometimes been called "the wooden cathedral by Lake Vättern" or "the painterly wooden cathedral". We had heard about the church before, because of its amazing paintings, but when we wanted to visit it, it has been closed. Now, as we are once again on a motorhome trip, it was finally time!

Habo church is located in Habo municipality, about 18 kilometres northwest of Jönköping.

A 17th century church with medieval history

There has been a church in Habo since the Middle Ages. The first missionaries came to the area in the 12th century and it is believed that the first church was built. The church that exists today began to be built in the 17th century, and in 1723 it was given its current appearance.

Parts of the interior are even older than the church itself. For example, the baptismal font dates from the 12th century and the altar from the 14th century.

The altar and altarpiece in Habo church

The altar of the church is made of sandstone. When the church was rebuilt in 1716, a box was found telling that the altar was consecrated by Bishop Sigge, who was bishop of Skara in the mid-14th century.

The beautiful altarpiece is from 1723 and shows the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The clock ticks rhythmically and every hour the boy, who sits above the clock, strikes with his hammers. We never heard the boy's blows, but the ticking of the clock gave an almost meditative feeling.

Pulpit, baptismal font and organ

There is more to see in the church! Baptismal fontswhich dates from the 13th century, is the oldest item in the whole church. For a time it was considered obsolete and was used as a 'mortar' for mixing red paint. You can still see traces of red paint on it, but now it has been returned to its original location.

The pulpit was built in 1723 and features Jesus and the twelve apostles. Above the pulpit stands the Grim Reaper with his scythe and a skull. The beautiful organs at the other end of the church has a façade from 1736, but a new organ.

Fantastic paintings

The most impressive part of the church is probably the fantastic paintings. The church was painted in 1741-1743 by two artists from Jönköping: Johan Kinnerus and Johan Christian Peterson.

The paintings illustrate Luther's Small Catechism, the summary of Christian doctrine that everyone was expected to memorise. On the side walls are the Ten Commandments of God, on the ceiling under the gallery you can see the Creed and on the walls above the gallery the Lord's Prayer is illustrated.

It must have been handy to be able to repeat the lesson with all these illustrative paintings. There really is something happening everywhere on the walls and sometimes it is dramatic ...

The hunt for church rats in Habo church

Habo Church can be exciting to visit even for younger family members. For example, you can go on a hunt for the 'church rats'. All rats have a letter, and if you fill them in in the right order in a booklet, you get a word. If you bring this word to the church café, you get an ice cream!

Church of Bottnaryd

Bottnaryd Church is a similar wooden church with beautiful paintings. We had not heard of this church before, and it was a pure coincidence that we found it. When we were inside Habo church, we exchanged a few words with another couple. "This church must be unique," Peter said. "Well, there's one almost like it nearby," said the man. But wow! Then we wanted to see it too!

Bottnaryd Church is located in Bottnaryd, about 24 kilometres west of Jönköping, in Småland.

A 17th century church

As in Habo, the first church in Bottnaryd was built in the Middle Ages. The church was demolished in the 17th century and a new one was built in 1667.

Inside, the church is beautifully decorated and also contains artefacts dating back to the 13th century.

Altarpiece, baptismal font and organ

As in Habo church, the caps in Bottnaryd church is the oldest item. The baptismal font is from the 13th century and was already used in the medieval church. The fantastic altarpiece is probably a North German work. It includes a sculpture depicting the institution of the Eucharist.

Organs is a work from 1749, but today a new organ has been built into the façade.

Fantastic paintings

Even in Bottnaryd's church you can spend a long time admiring and being fascinated by all the wall and ceiling paintings. The interior of the church was painted in 1693-1695 by church painter Anders Falck.

The paintings on the southern wall are taken from the Old Testament, while the northern wall is decorated with images from the New Testament. On the ceiling, you can see the heavenly Jerusalem, the Last Judgement and terrifying depictions of Hell.

Museum in Bottnaryd church

In the Ribbing grave choir, a small church museum with various interesting artefacts surprises you. There is a model of the ship Calmare Nyckel, the first sailing ship that came to America with Swedes in 1638.

Outside the church, you can visit the shepherd who takes care of his sheep ...

Where can you park your campervan?

If you are travelling with a motorhome, there are several pitches to choose from in the vicinity. When you turn off from road 47 towards Habo church, you pass a caravan park. Right next to Bottnaryd church there are also places without service, where you can stay.

Instead, we continued south and stopped at Isaberg Golf Clubwhich is just over half an hour south of Bottnaryd church. Here we paid 200 SEK for a pitch with electricity. Right next door there is the possibility of golf or padel for those who are keen on it. We actually considered trying padel, but it was raining so much so it will be another time!

See more around Habo Church and Bottnaryd Church

Close to Habo Church and Bottnaryd Church, you can of course visit Jönköping, with its beautiful city centre. The Match Museum. Huskvarna is also nice, with Husqvarna museum. If you are travelling north instead, you can visit Hjo, which is supposed to be a pleasant wooden town by Lake Vättern. We can also recommend the fishing camp First Camp Hökensås and if Brandstorp homestead.

göra i Västergötland — All our top tips for holidays in Västergötland

Facts about Habo church

Landscape: Västergötland
County: Jönköping County
Municipality: Habo
Location: 5 km southwest of the centre of Habo municipality
Faith communities: Church of Sweden
Pin: Diocese of Skara
Parish: Habo parish
Inaugurated: 1680, 1723
Material: Timber

History of Habo Church

Early 17th century: There was a cross church.
1680: The church was rebuilt and expanded.
1723: A major remodelling was carried out by master builder Sven Nilsson Swan and the church was given its current appearance.
1741-1743: The church room was painted.
1760: A bell tower with three bells dates from this year.
1872: Several reorganisations were made.
1908: An armoury was built at the northern entrance, designed by architect Gustaf Lindgren.
1928: The eastern porch was converted into a sacristy to the designs of architect Malte Erichs.

Facts about Bottnaryd church

Landscape: Småland
County: Jönköping County
Municipality: Bottnaryd
Location: At Gårdsjön in Bottnaryd
Faith communities: Church of Sweden
Pin: Diocese of Skara
Parish: North Mo parish
Inaugurated: 1667
Material: Timber

The history of Bottnaryd church

1666: A medieval wooden church was demolished and a new one was immediately built.
1667: The church was almost completed and inaugurated.
1686: The bell tower with three bells was built this year. The big bell and the middle bell are from the Middle Ages.
1693: The church painter Anders Falck was hired to paint biblical scenes. The work was completed in 1695.
1886-1890: A thorough remodelling was carried out to the designs of architect Helgo Zettervall.
1932: A smaller porch was added.

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READ MORE: Things to do in Västergötland - tips, sights and experiences

17 Comments

Add yours →

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

I like wooden churches and had written down Habo church on my "to-do list" during the holiday, but the day we had planned to go to the Jönköping area there was thunder and rain so it never happened. It will be next summer instead. 🙂 And I write Bottnaryd's church on the list too! Very nice pictures from these beautiful churches.

11 August 2021 - 9:06

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Then you have something to look forward to! Both churches are fantastically beautiful, an experience to see them! Glad you like the pictures!
  
  11 August 2021 - 19:02
  
Annika in Spain says:

I know Habo church, my grandmother and other relatives are buried in the cemetery. It is a fantastic church.

11 August 2021 - 9:50

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Oh what a nice place to have your grave!!!
  
  11 August 2021 - 19:04
  
Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

We have visited HABO CHURCH a few times.

11 August 2021 - 10:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nice and worth visiting indeed! 🙂
  
  11 August 2021 - 19:04
  
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Amazing churches!
I visited Bottnaryd church in March just over two years ago. It was not really open then, but we had made an appointment with the church caretaker, so he came and opened it for us. Well worth a visit.
I haven't seen Habo for at least 20 years.
Wishing you a nice summer day!

11 August 2021 - 10:55

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice that you could book with the church caretaker so that he opened! Really nice churches!
  
  11 August 2021 - 19:05
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

I have to take out the shame pillow, have never been in these churches even though we pass Habo every time we go to Jönköping and we fricamped at the bathing place car park in Bottnaryd last year. Lars speaks so well of Habo church so it will probably be a visit. As usual, we do not visit sights that are too close to home, the question is why?

11 August 2021 - 14:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I recognise that! We are also usually bad at seeing what is closest. But, I must say that we got a little better at it during the pandemic, when we could not go so far during certain periods 😉.
  
  11 August 2021 - 19:06
  
Matts Torebring says:

We went to Habo Church in the spring to look inside a few years ago. Then the doors were locked. What a work of art everything is. Absolutely fantastic. The church is still standing, so we will return after this input.

11 August 2021 - 19:35

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Too bad it was locked! The church is certainly worth another try! I think it is open on weekdays.
  
  12 August 2021 - 18:16
  
BP says:

The churches are very beautiful and do justice to their "location" there in the Bible Belt:-)

11 August 2021 - 20:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It is absolutely true! These are the kind of special churches we like to see!
  
  12 August 2021 - 18:17
  
JoY says:

We visited Habo church in 2012 and were lucky that it was open. If you want to listen to the Boy and also the organ, it's here on my blog. https://joytillsammans.blogspot.com/2012/09/hem-fran-elmia.html

12 August 2021 - 9:46

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Ah I checked! What fun that you recorded! 👍
  
  12 August 2021 - 18:19
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

What impressive paintings and decorations! Wow! Powerful to see, I guess.

Hug Lena

16 August 2021 - 6:07

Habo Church and Bottnaryd Church - fantastic wooden churches

Habo church

A 17th century church with medieval history

The altar and altarpiece in Habo church

Pulpit, baptismal font and organ

Fantastic paintings

The hunt for church rats in Habo church

Church of Bottnaryd

A 17th century church

Altarpiece, baptismal font and organ

Fantastic paintings

Museum in Bottnaryd church

Where can you park your campervan?

See more around Habo Church and Bottnaryd Church

Facts about Habo church

History of Habo Church

Facts about Bottnaryd church

The history of Bottnaryd church

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17 Comments

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Annika in Spain says:

Helena says:

Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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