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Granhult church in Småland - Sweden's oldest wooden church

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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.

Granhults kyrka - Sveriges äldsta träkyrka

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.

Granhults kyrka - Sveriges äldsta träkyrka

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.

Granhults kyrka - Sveriges äldsta träkyrka

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.

Sveriges äldsta träkyrka

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.

Orgel i Granhults kyrka

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.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

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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