Nederluleå Church

Nederluleå Church (Swedish: Nederluleå kyrka) is a medieval Lutheran church in Gammelstaden near Luleå in Norrbotten County, Sweden. It belongs to the Diocese of Luleå. The church is the largest medieval church in the Swedish land of Norrland. It forms a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gammelstad Church Town.

The presently visible stone church was probably preceded by a wooden chapel. Construction of the stone church started in the 15th century and continued into the early 16th century. The church was however inaugurated already in 1492, by Jakob Ulvsson, Archbishop of Uppsala.Arrowslits preserved in the church indicate that apart from its religious use, it also served a defensive purpose. The church remained largely unchanged until the 18th century. In 1745 the medieval frescos were painted over, and during the same decade the windows were enlarged. In 1776-78 the church was painted red, externally, a new entrance was made and more windows added. In 1848 the windows were altered, again. Successive changes to the interior, with old furnishings removed and new added, have also been carried out since the 18th century. During a renovation in 1909 the medieval frescos were uncovered again and the choir portal regained its original appearance, which had been altered during the 18th century. Additional renovations have been carried out in 1936, 1954 and 1969-71. The free-standing bell tower dates from 1851 and replaced an earlier, wooden bell tower. The two bells date from 1554 and 1684, but have both been re-cast in later times.

The church is built of fieldstone (consisting of about 40 types of rock), with details made of brick. The roof is made of shake, as was the original roof. The church is surrounded by a wall in which two lychgates are preserved.

...
Wikipedia