Smedstorps kyrka, built in 1867 on the site of an earlier church near the village of Smedstorp in Skåne, is chiefly notable for the elaborate Renaissance memorial it preserves to a Danish admiral and his wife.
The present church, consecrated in 1867, replaced an older building on the same spot, and some remnants of the earlier church's walls were retained during construction. It is a fairly plain nineteenth-century structure, distinguished by an unusually long nave, a tower and a semicircular apse, and the churchyard is enclosed by hedge and dry stone wall.
The church's most striking feature is the memorial to Anders Bing, admiral and councillor of the Danish realm and the last of the Bing family to own Smedstorp Castle, and his wife Anne Galt. Made of limestone, sandstone, marble and alabaster, it is regarded as one of the finest Renaissance funerary monuments in Skåne, its harmonious composition recalling Italian Renaissance design. It is said to have been commissioned by Anne Galt and made in 1595 by Hans van Steenwinckel the Elder, architect to King Frederick II of Denmark; sources also mention a verse on the monument connected to King James I of England, though this detail cannot be independently confirmed here.
The altarpiece and pulpit are said to date from the same period as the monument. The pulpit carries an inscription, understood to convey the sense that the word of the Lord endures forever, though its exact wording is not reproduced here.
A restoration in 1968 replaced the old brick floor with Kolmården limestone flooring, remodelled the pews to allow aisles along the outer walls, and uncovered the Bing monument, which had previously been obscured. Pews beneath the gallery were removed to make way for a meeting room and confirmation classroom on the south side, and a small waiting room was created north of the main entrance for use at baptisms and weddings. Toilets and new electrical wiring were installed, the interior was repainted, and the pulpit's original colour scheme was uncovered during the work.
The church's organ, a mechanical instrument built in 1964 by Einar Ströwik of Sölvesborg, was moved to Smedstorp in 1967 from Sölvesborgs kyrka; an earlier organ, built in 1923 by A. Mårtenssons Orgelfabrik of Lund, had previously served the church.
Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.
Additional opening information is awaiting translation. Check the official visitor-information link before travelling.
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Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.
A listed ramp does not confirm step-free access throughout the building.
Smedstorps församling
Smedstorps församling
Smedstorps kyrka, built in 1867 on the site of an earlier church near the village of Smedstorp in Skåne, is chiefly notable for the elaborate Renaissance memorial it preserves to a Danish admiral and his wife.
Smedstorp 5001, 27398, Smedstorp
Explore this church: Smedstorps kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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View church details: Löddeköpinge kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
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View church details: Elleholms kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
Fjärdingsmansgatan 5, 286 34, Örkelljunga
View church details: Örkelljunga GravkapellSources, 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: 24 Jun 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 85b1fb74-a1c9-46f4-8330-764a8d729251
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.