Linköping Cathedral

Linköping Cathedral (Swedish: Linköpings domkyrka) is a church in the Swedish city of Linköping, the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Linköping in the Church of Sweden. It is situated opposite Linköping Castle.

Linköping Cathedral
Linköpings domkyrka
Linköping Cathedral from the east
Location	Linköping
Country	Sweden
Denomination	Church of Sweden
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral & Parish church
Founded	13th century
Dedication	Saint Peter
Consecrated	1100s
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Gothic
Specifications
Number of spires	1
Spire height	107 metres (351 ft)
Administration
Diocese	Linköping
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Martin Modéus

History

The present church is about 800 years old. However, its history starts in the 11th century, with the construction of a wooden church. Later, around 1120, a stone church was built, a basilica of about half the size of the present building.

Around 1230 it became necessary to construct a larger church, as the basilica had become too small. The church was extended to the east, with a new choir and transept. These parts remain as part of the present church. The current altarpiece is also from that period.

The next extension of the church was made following the coronation of King Valdemar, in 1251. The main building was now constructed, and the church received its current length of 110 meters. The height of the tower is 107 metres (351 ft).

At the beginning of the 15th century, 1408–1420, the Gothic chapels were constructed, with large windows and star-shaped vaults. The chapels were named after Saint Andrew (later renamed after Saint Mary), Saint Nicolaus Hermanni (Nils Hermansson) and Saint Thomas Becket.

Fire damaged the roof of the church in 1546 and again in 1567. The tower was rebuilt between 1747 and 1758 and again between 1877 and 1886 by Helgo Zettervall. In 1967 the shape of the 17th-century roof was restored. It is covered with copper sheeting, the corrosion of which has created the green color.

The cathedral is featured on the cover of the album Opus Eponymous by Ghost, whose founder, Tobias Forge, is a native of Linköping.

• 
  Linköping Cathedral from Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna from around 1690–1710.
• 
  From the north
• 
  The cathedral from outside
• 
  Interior from the west, 2003
• 
  The interior with the pulpit and altar
• 
  Altarpiece.
• 
  The mosaic above the portal
• 
  Architectural detail

Burials

• John, Duke of Östergötland
• Princess Maria Elizabeth of Sweden
• Bishop Nicolaus Hermanni
• Bishop Kettil Karlsson Vasa, Regent of Sweden 1464–1465
• Count Ture Nilsson Bielke and his wife Margareta Svantesdotter Sture, by Willem van den Blocke

External links

• Linköpings Domkyrka official site
• Linköping Castle and Cathedral Museum official site