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Lyssna

The choir

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

The main altar is from the early 20th century and is decorated with an altarpiece  by the Gotlandic architect and painter Axel Herman Hägg. It was added as part of the great restoration which he supervised. The purpose of the restoration was to bring the church back to its medieval appearance, some of which has disappeared again in later restorations. The cathedral’s late medieval altarpiece was already in 1684 moved to Källunge Church, in the middle of Gotland, and can still be seen on the main altar there.

The saints are not perfect either

The main motif of the altarpiece is the Adoration of the Magi surrounded by four saints: St Bridget and St Olaf to the left, St Catherine of Vadstena and St Nicholas to the right. Saints are people who have spread God’s love during their lives. But just like us, the saints weren’t always perfect. 

Behind the altar are the twelve apostles, Jesus’ closest friends, who also weren’t perfect people. It’s nice to know that God can work through us anyway. 

By the altar we celebrate the Eucharist, which is central to the Christian rite. Here we share bread and wine as a sign that we are seeking a united humanity. 

Visby Cathedral and its fantastic history and building

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.

The Risen Christ

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

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