Torshälla kyrka, the parish church of Torshälla in Eskilstuna, preserves traces from every century since its earliest stonework was raised in the 12th century. Standing on Rådhustorget, it offers visitors a striking mix of medieval art and a dramatic history of fire and rebuilding.
The oldest surviving portion of the church is the chancel and a small chapel behind the altarpiece, built in Romanesque style in the 1100s on the site of an old pagan place of sacrifice known as Torsharg. When Torshälla gained town rights in 1317, rapid growth made an extension necessary: a new nave was added to the west and the earlier nave became the chancel. During the 15th century the tower and porch were added, and vaulted ceilings were installed.
In 1614 the tower was rebuilt with a tall spire. Accounts of its height vary considerably, with some sources citing figures as great as 102 metres including the spire, while an 18th-century survey by builder Fredric Golling suggested a more modest 78 metres. Whichever figure is correct, the church was for a long time among the tallest buildings in Sweden and the highest church in the diocese of Strängnäs, its tower serving as a landmark for shipping on Lake Mälaren. A lightning-triggered fire in 1873 destroyed the spire and roof; the rebuilding that followed replaced the spire with the stepped brick gables seen today, and the nave roof was lowered. Traces of the earlier, taller roofline can still be seen on the tower's east facade.
The chancel vault carries painted ceiling decoration attributed to the workshop of Albertus Pictor, dating from the mid-1400s. Among the scenes is a depiction of Abraham reading with a pair of spectacles, said to be the oldest known Swedish image of eyeglasses in use, and a distinctive detail for visitors to look out for.
Four medieval wooden sculptures survive in the church, representing Saint Birgitta, Saint George, Saint Catherine and Saint Gertrude, giving a sense of the devotional imagery once common before the Reformation. The pulpit, dating from the 1600s, is carved with a central figure of Christ, the four evangelists and the apostle Paul.
The church also contains the graves of notable local figures, including Reinhold Rademacher, credited with founding Eskilstuna's metalworking industry, and Adolf Zethelius, a silversmith and ironworks owner. The current organ, built in 1980, reuses the case and some sounding front pipes from an earlier 18th-century instrument, linking the church's musical life across several centuries.
Provider-listed schedule, applicable on 12 Oct 2026. All times are local to Sweden.
| Monday | 09:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00–16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–16:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–16:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–16:00 |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Additional opening information is awaiting translation. Check the official visitor-information link before travelling.
Check access with the parish before travelling. Services and seasonal changes can affect visits.
Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.
Torshälla församling
Torshälla församling
Torshälla kyrka, the parish church of Torshälla in Eskilstuna, preserves traces from every century since its earliest stonework was raised in the 12th century. Standing on Rådhustorget, it offers visitors a striking mix of medieval art and a dramatic history of fire and rebuilding.
Kyrkogatan 1, 66431, Torshälla
Explore this church: Torshälla kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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Klockargårdsvägen, 645 91, Strängnäs
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View church details: Vårdinge kyrkaSources, credits and English adaptations are identified on each church page. Provider data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0.
Provider catalogue data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser, CC BY 4.0. Separately credited descriptions retain their stated source and licence terms. Catalogue and visiting data reformatted from the provider. The English guide combines and abridges separately credited sources below.
Provider record updated: 12 May 2025. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: be5cf4b2-287a-479d-8f3d-0b80f61aa204
This English guide combines, abridges and translates the sources below with AI assistance, with editorial contributions by Churches in Sweden. It has not been independently verified. The adapted guide text is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographs and map data have their own terms.