Alvastra Abbey

Daughter monasteries

Monastery Varnhem (1150 ) Monastery Julita ( 1160 ) Monastery Gudsberga ( 1486 )

The monastery ruins Alvastra situated in the swedish community Ödeshög that belongs to the historic province of Östergötland, about 25 kilometers south of the town of Vadstena on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern.

History

Alvastra was established at the initiative of Ulvhild Håkonsdatter, the wife of King Sverker the Elder, of French monks in 1143 as a daughter house of Clairvaux Abbey Primary and was the first Cistercian monastery in Scandinavia and the second oldest monastery in Sweden. Monks from Clairvaux populated almost simultaneously the monastery Nydala. From Monastery Alvastra daughter monasteries were founded in the places Varnhem, Julita and Gudsberga. The monastery followed the typical Cistercian monasteries of this time floor plan and architectural style. The monastery developed over time for the most ecclesiastical landowners Sweden.

In the mid-14th century, later revered as a sacred Birgitta woman came with her husband in the monastery. It is believed that she was inspired by the local monastic rules, as she set up her own monastic rules. During the Reformation the property of the monastery was confiscated by the Crown. 1567, the building was badly damaged by the Danish army and then used as a quarry for the Vadstena Castle and a castle on the island Visingsö.

The first archaeological investigations were carried out in 1893 and between 1917 and the 1950s found extensive excavations were carried out. Today the monastery is a protected and restored ruin.