| Skara Cathedral | |
|---|---|
 Skara Cathedral, July 2004 | |
 Skara Cathedral | |
| 58°23′11″N13°26′21″E / 58.38639°N 13.43917°E /58.38639; 13.43917 | |
| Location | Skara |
| Country | Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 11th Century |
| Dedication | St Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 13th Century |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 2 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Skara |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Åke Bonnier |
 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Swedish. (October 2017)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Skara Cathedral (Swedish:Skara domkyrka) is achurch in the town ofSkara, Sweden. Thecathedral is the seat for thebishop of theDiocese of Skara of theChurch of Sweden .[1]
Its history is traced from the 10th century[a], but its current appearance in theGothic style originated in the 13th century. Thechoir dates back to the early 13th century, whilst thetransept andnave took shape a century later. The cathedral was damaged and restored on several occasions, making its current appearance rather modern. In the 1760s, it was given abaroque southern facade. The currentGothic Revival design dates to restorations in 1886–1894 under architectHelgo Zettervall (1831–1907). The previously flat twin towers were given pointed Gothic spires.[3]
The 37 mosaic stained glass windows were created by the artist Bo Beskow (1906-1989) in cooperation withglazier Gustav Ringström between 1945 and 1976. The motifs are mostly biblical, but the two SwedishsaintsBridget of Sweden andHelena of Skövde are also depicted. No windows from the medieval church have been preserved.[4]
There are four bells in the two towers on the west side. The northern tower contains the large bell, cast in 1725 and enlarged in 1785, while three smaller bells hang in the southern tower. The church is 65 metres (213 ft) long and the towers reach a height of 63 metres (207 ft).[5]
The church has amedievalcrypt that was found in 1949 after having been buried under stones since the 13th century. Agrave, containing a skeleton, was found in the crypt, which is within the oldest (10th century) part of the cathedral. Some remains of the original 10th century structure can still be seen in the crypt.[6]
_bust_2009_Skara_(2).jpg)
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
| Dioceses |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedrals | ||
| Assembly Elections | ||
| Nominating groups |
| |
| Monasteries | ||
| See also | ||
