Växjö Cathedral


Växjö Cathedral is the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Växjö in the Church of Sweden. It is located on the edge of the modern city center of Växjö, Sweden.

History

Växjö Cathedral was the episcopal church as early as the 12th century.
The diocese of Växjö was founded around 1170 and the first cathedral for the new bishops' seat was built. The church burned down for the first time in 1276 and the former church was replaced by a larger, possibly Gothic style. The church was burned down by Danish forces in 1570. The former Romanesque church was transformed into a three-aisled Gothic structure. In 1740, the tower and the church were severely damaged by a fire after a lightning strike. From 1849 to 1852, the church underwent a major rebuild following drawings by architect Carl Georg Brunius. In 1898 the church underwent minor restoration, which did not change the appearance of the church. A restoration was made in 1958-1960 by Kurt von Schmalensee . Interior restoration led by architect Mats Edström was carried out during the first half of 1995.
The baptismal font and the pulpit of black granite as well as the high altar of polished limestone are works by designer and glass artist Jan Brazda. Decorations, mainly stained glass, were done during the restoration by the artists Bo Beskow, Erik Höglund and Jan Brazda. The altar mat around the altar was created by Ulla Gowenius in 1995. The present organ was built in 1940 by Marcussen & Søn and is an electropneumatic organ. The façade of the 1779 organ remains with sounding pipes.

Gallery