Hejdeby Church

The Church of Hejdeby (Swedish Hejdeby kyrka ) is a country church on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is the parish church of the parish ( swedish församling ) Hejdeby and belongs to the diocese of Visby. The name of the parish is first documented in 1523 as sogenn Heydeby and includes the Gotland word for heath.

Architectural History

Nave and choir with apse have been built in the Romanesque style in the early 13th century. Unlike many other Gotland churches here the replacement of the choir and nave by a larger building with a recently completed choir has not taken place. The gothic tower was added in the late 13th century the complex.

Murals

In the church of Hejdeby a number have been preserved in murals. A part dates from the 13th century and was restored only recently. Konsekrationskreuze among the oldest paintings indicate that this arose at the time of the consecration of the church. In the 15th century the so-called Passion Master added a few motives, however, also painted some older paintings. The wall paintings in the church of Hejdeby are one of many examples of medieval wall paintings on Gotland.

Interior decoration

In the sanctuary of Hejdeby a baptismal font stands with wooden lid from the mid-13th century. The cross triumph comes from the same century. The pulpit, which was painted in 1793, the church was donated in 1766 by the Visby Mayor Abraham Lange.