Country Sweden Diocese Diocese of Visby | Denomination Church of Sweden | |
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Address 557, 623 66 Ljugarn, Sweden Similar Alskog Church, Etelhem Church, Garde Church, Buttle Church, Ala Church | ||
Ardre Church (Swedish: Ardre kyrka) is a medieval Lutheran church in Ardre on the Swedish island of Gotland, in the Diocese of Visby (Sweden).
History and architecture
The oldest part of the church is the tower, dating from about 1200. The tower originally belonged to an earlier church building from the 12th century, the nave and choir of which was replaced with the current building circa 1250. The sculptured choir portal originally also belonged to the earlier church.
The interior of the church was heavily remodelled after plans by artist Axel Haig (Swedish: Axel Herman Hägg) in 1900–1902, in a Neo-Medieval style. The dominating wall paintings are consequently designed by Hägg. A few stained glass windows remain but were complemented by modern replicas during the renovation.
The furnishings of the church are still largely medieval: an altarpiece from the early 14th century, a triumphal cross and baptismal font, both from the middle of the 13th century, and a carved wooden Madonna from circa 1500 are all in their original milieu. The organ is an elaborate Gothic Revival piece, made for the renovation in 1902 and inspired by medieval French organs.