Vårviks kyrka stands in a strikingly beautiful setting on an island in Lake Västra Silen, in Dalsland. Built in 1843-46, it is probably the third church to occupy the parish since the early Middle Ages, and it incorporates remarkable survivals from its medieval predecessors.
About five hundred metres southwest of the present building lies the site of an earlier wooden church, said to have been rebuilt or newly built in the mid-17th century (sources differ, giving either 1656 or 1662). The spot is marked today by a memorial stone. That church is thought to have had at least one predecessor of its own, probably a stave church. From this earliest building a single plank survives, carved with detailed ornamentation dated to the 13th century; it is now held at the Swedish History Museum.
The current church, completed in 1843-46, was designed by Johan Fredrik Åbom, a noted Stockholm architect of his day, and is considered a good example of Swedish Neoclassicism. It has a single-nave rectangular plan with a tower to the northwest, walls of white-rendered stone, and large round-arched windows. The exterior is largely unaltered since construction.
A distinctive feature is the tower's timber lantern, known locally as the 'lykthus' (lantern house). By tradition a lamp is lit here in the evenings, and it has been suggested that the light may once have served to guide boats on the lake, though this remains a matter of local tradition rather than documented fact.
Inside, the church is dominated by a tall altarpiece with a temple-like gable bearing a gilded inscription of thanksgiving. This structure is flanked by two side chambers with galleries above, giving the interior an unusual layout. Behind the altar stands a gilded cross before a stained-glass chancel window.
Among the notable furnishings are a 13th-century soapstone font, well preserved and finely carved with rope and foliate patterns, and a small Limoges crucifix of copper with enamel inlay, also dating from the 13th century — both survivals from the medieval churches that once stood nearby. The pulpit is thought to be substantially original, though reworked in the 20th century. In 2003 the church was reportedly named Sweden's most beautiful by a Swedish magazine, though this is a subjective press accolade rather than a verifiable historical fact.
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Ärtemarks pastorat
Ärtemarks pastorat
Vårviks kyrka stands in a strikingly beautiful setting on an island in Lake Västra Silen, in Dalsland. Built in 1843-46, it is probably the third church to occupy the parish since the early Middle Ages, and it incorporates remarkable survivals from its medieval predecessors.
Karlsbergsvägen 17, 66631, Bengtsfors
Explore this church: Vårviks kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Östra Fågelviks kyrka, in Värmland east of Skattkärr, is a stone church built between 1715 and 1726 on the site of an earlier wooden church that had been completed in 1691 but burned down after…
Östra Fågelvik 209, Karlstad
View church details: Östra Fågelviks kyrkaSkillingmarks kyrka was built of timber in 1689-90. The current church was preceded by a medieval wooden church at Klevene udde, a few kilometres north of today's church site.
Köla församlingshem, 67396, Åmotfors
View church details: Skillingmarks kyrkaAs the communities of Dals-Långed and Mustadfors grew, so did the need for a church space for worship and gathering. Dals-Långeds kyrka originated as a school building from the 1880s, which, after rebuilding, could be…
Kallkällevägen 5A, 66694, Dals Långed
View church details: Dals Långeds kyrkaThe Pilgrimskapellet (Pilgrim Chapel) is located behind Hammarö kyrka.
Pilgrimsvägen 4, 663 41, Hammarö
View church details: PilgrimskapelletSources, 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: 17 Jul 2025. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 967aa0cf-8b38-45c0-92cb-1e7b12b7b8b3
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.