Sundre Church

The Church of Sundre (Swedish Sundre kyrka ) is a Romance country church on the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland. It is located near the south coast in designated " Sudret " southern third of the island. Due to its exposed location, a stone tower ( Kastal ) was built in the 12th century in the immediate vicinity of the present church. Southwest of the church, the ruins of a medieval vicarage are also documented.

Architectural History

The nave and slightly narrower, straight final choir were built for the beginning of the 13th century without base, while the tower was come a few decades later, around the year 1250. The building material used is mainly sandstone, but the stable limestone was used for the portals. The vestry on the north side of the choir was only added in recent times.

The church has three entrances: one on the north side of the tower and one each on the south side of the nave and the choir. The main entrance to the entrance on the south side of the nave is utilized. From here also two circular stones are visible from red limestone in the outer masonry, which were apparently intended for a pillar, but were not needed. In the choir with cross vaults are four niches, one of which has an even its medieval design with wooden doors with iron hardware.

During the renovation in the years 1969-70 in the choir paintings were exposed in the 13th century as well as in the triumphal arch paintings from the 17th century. It was also uncovered in the nave of the Passion frieze of the 15th century.

The Church of Sundre is with the churches of Eke and Dalhem one of the churches have been preserved of their wooden predecessors church boards with paintings. A total of 24 boards with painting fragments are obtained, which are associated with the Russian-Byzantine style. They show the final judgment according to the Byzantine pattern, and show parallels with the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello.

Environment

The medieval tower is like the church of hewn sandstone and was built in the 12th century. Similar to some other parishes on the coast of Gotland, he served the protection and defense of the Church and of the surrounding parish. The tower measures 14 to 15 m in diameter and its height varies 12 to 14 m. In the upper part of the remains have been preserved of six or seven loopholes. At the north-east, the church opposite side to six meters in height, an input that matches likely with the original.

The investigation of the foundations of the medieval vicarage was found that this ground floor had four rooms. The cemetery wall is broad and strong and comes mainly from the Middle Ages.