Forshems kyrka

The only burial church in the Nordic countries

The church building is made of sandstone. The oldest part is the nave, which dates from the mid-12th century. The biggest changes took place in the 1760s when the transepts were added. The church has been restored several times, including in 1939 when wall and ceiling paintings from the 17th century were discovered during whitewashing.

Wooden remains with ornamentation have been found on the site, possibly a stave church may have previously existed on the same site where the current church stands.

However, the choir was demolished in the 13th century and replaced with a new one with a ribbed vault on consoles, probably inspired by the cathedral in Skara or the Gothic abbey church in Varnhem.

The church is unique as it is the only church in the North dedicated to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. An inscription in Latin with the above message can be read on one of the Romanesque reliefs. Three of the Romanesque stone reliefs depict the story of Jesus' suffering, the Passion. These three reliefs may have once formed a sarcophagus used in passion plays and as a symbol of Christ's tomb. Pilgrims may have chosen to make the pilgrimage to Forshem during times when the road to Jerusalem was too difficult and dangerous. There are several theories about who the founder of the Church of Forshem might have been. Perhaps the answer lies in the Vatican Secret Archives in Rome. A unique collaboration is now being initiated between the Skara Diocesan Historical Society and the Vatican regarding the early church history of the area.

The church has been rebuilt several times, in 1765 on Midsummer's Eve the added transepts were inaugurated, the material for them is said to be taken from the now disappeared Forsholm Castle, but there is no evidence that this is true - yet.

"ISTA ECCLESIA SIT IN HONORE DOMINI NOSTRI IHESU CHRISTI ET SANCTI SEPULCRI"

"This church is consecrated in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Sepulchre"

On the south side of the church are depictions of St. Martin and St. Nicholas, the patron saints of pilgrims and the church. The entire Latin alphabet is carved on one of the reliefs. The stone reliefs on the church are unique and there are only a few similar ones in Skara Cathedral, but this is perhaps not so strange as those in Forshem were carved by the Skara master Scarensis. None of the reliefs are in their original place but have been moved.

There is also a large triumphal crucifix from the 14th century, a medieval chasuble, two bridal benches and valuable silver treasures. The rich vault paintings were discovered during the restoration in 1912 and date back to the early 17th century, probably by Gullich Gullichsson, who belonged to the older Läckö school.

On the other side of the road there is a stone museum with lily stones and older tombstones. A pilgrimage route runs between Forshem and Husaby.

In the app Kyrkguiden you can read more about the churches and use it as a guide when you are on site, read more and download it here.

By train (Kinnekulletåget/Västtågen)With Västtågen (Kinnekulletåget) you can get to this destination by getting off at Forshem station, from which you reach the church by a 350 meter walk. Search Västtrafik's travel planner either on the web or in the Västtrafik To Go app.For questions or more information go to www.vasttrafik.se