Ysane kyrka, dedicated to St Gertrude, stands beside the E22 a few miles north-east of Sölvesborg in Blekinge. Built around 1300, the church is chiefly known for its medieval murals, painted in the choir by Nils Håkansson, the artist often called the Vittskövle Master.
The church began as a simple rectangular nave with a straight-ended chancel, built of granite and brick. Because it originally had no tower, its bells hung in a separate wooden bell frame. A brick porch was added later in the medieval period, and around the mid-1400s the vaults were constructed, providing the surface for the celebrated murals.
The murals in the chancel were completed in 1459 by Nils Håkansson. The best-preserved section, on the eastern wall, depicts Christ's entry into Jerusalem, while other vault compartments carry medallion-style images of biblical and legendary saints. A Latin inscription above the chancel arch names the painter and asks for prayers on his behalf, and a further scene showing Christ at Gethsemane has been uncovered on the nave's south wall. The paintings were rediscovered in 1931 and restored in 1938.
The building was substantially altered in later centuries. In 1777 it was extended westward and the old chancel converted into a sacristy. A more thorough remodelling in 1862 gave the church its present appearance: the medieval south porch was demolished, and a west tower with an octagonal lantern and spire was built in its place, taking on the two bells, cast in 1808 and 1897. At the same time the old wooden bell frame was removed and the nave's vaulting replaced with the current wooden barrel vault, giving the interior the character of a hall church.
Several furnishings recall the church's long history. The oak pulpit, carved with relief images of the four evangelists, dates from the 1600s, while the enclosed box pews are said to date from 1665 and the organ loft from 1698. The altarpiece's upper section, showing the Resurrection in relief with Christ and the four evangelists above, was bought in 1772 from Bäckaskog for the neighbouring parish of Gammalstorp before later coming to Ysane. A brass chandelier from 1808 also survives, and the altar rail dates from 1803. A restoration in 2013 included work on the exterior limewash.
Provider-listed schedule, applicable on 12 Oct 2026. All times are local to Sweden.
| Monday | 09:00–15:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
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Mjällby församling
Mjällby församling
Ysane kyrka, dedicated to St Gertrude, stands beside the E22 a few miles north-east of Sölvesborg in Blekinge. Built around 1300, the church is chiefly known for its medieval murals, painted in the choir by Nils Håkansson, the artist often called the Vittskövle Master.
Ysanevägen 241-5, 29492, Sölvesborg
Explore this church: Ysane kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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Box 23, 26821, Svalöv
View church details: Norrvidinge 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: 17 Jun 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: b5712106-63ed-41d8-9902-354ddcf695e3
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.