Kristusstaty på en tvärgående bjälke under valven i Visby domkyrka.
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The Risen Christ

Above the central altar in the middle of the church there is an oak statue of Christ from the 13th century.

An 800-year-old special effect

If you look past Christ you can see a hole in the middle of the choir vault ceiling. Many have wondered about the possible function of this. One theory is that the image of Christ has been used at medieval liturgical dramas in which the biblical stories were played out and brought to life. It is then imagined that the ascending Christ was pulled up through that hole. Quite the special effect at the time! The stories become so much more alive when we can see and feel them – not only hear the words. 

Christ blessing all

Here we see the risen Christ. On his chest we see a bleeding side wound and on his hands and feet the marks of nails. It is likely that he used to hold a banner of the resurrection in his left hand. Even today he lifts his right hand in a gesture of blessing. Christ, who showed the price of the path of love and who went all the way through death, wants to give us his blessing so that all may be filled with peace. 

Visby Cathedral and its fantastic history and building

The baptismal font

The baptismal font is one of the few fixtures left since the Middle Ages.

Mary with the Child

The original now at the Gotland Museum

The choir

The choir was added in 1230–1250, as was probably the altar as well.

The organs in the cathedral

All instruments in the church have their own history. The oldest organ is still in use even though it is by now 400 years old.

The pulpit

The pulpit in Visby Cathedral is made of oak with a walnut veneer. It was probably produced in northern Germany and imported from Lübeck.