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Eskelhems kyrka

Address
Eskelhem kyrka, 62270, Eskelhem
Municipality
Gotland
Denomination
Church of Sweden
Associated diocese
Diocese of Visby

Eskelhems kyrka is a medieval parish church on Gotland, within Visby stift. Built up in stages from an earlier romanesque structure, it is notable for its unusually large gothic chancel and a set of well-preserved medieval wall paintings.



The present church incorporates the remains of two earlier buildings. Traces of a foundation, thought to date from the 11th century, have been found beneath the floor, while a later romanesque church forms part of today's nave. During the mid-13th century the nave was heightened and the tower added, work traditionally attributed to a local craftsman known as "Mäster Botvid". The large gothic chancel and sacristy followed in the mid-14th century.

As on several other Gotland churches, the chancel here is larger than the nave, suggesting that a still bigger church may once have been planned. The building is described as a "klövsadelkyrka", a type with a tall, spacious chancel set against a comparatively short nave.

Inside the chancel vault are two large medieval paintings attributed to the so-called Mikaelsmästaren (the Michael Master), dating from the late 13th century. One roundel depicts Paradise surrounded by small ornamental medallions and the symbols of the evangelists; the other shows Christ, the Virgin Mary and the apostles Peter and Paul. A badly damaged painting on the north wall of the tower chamber has been identified as a calendar recording the church's annual feast days.

Among the furnishings is a carved sandstone font from the 12th century, attributed to the sculptor Byzantios, showing the crucified Christ with Mary and John, along with a carved lion biting a four-legged animal. A triumphal crucifix from the 1250s is the work of the so-called Tingstädemästaren, another named Gotland sculptor of the period. The altarpiece, in sandstone, dates from around 1700 and depicts the Last Supper, with the monogram of Karl XII above; the pulpit is from the late 17th century, and a bridal pew survives from the later 13th century.

A memorial tablet in the chancel commemorates Catharina Westphal (1700–1765), wife of the parish pastor Johan Bahr. A statue of the Virgin Mary by Bertil Nyström, made in 1972, stands against one wall, close to a mural probably from the 18th century showing the archangel Michael. The church bell in the tower was cast in 1775 by G. S. Meyer of Stockholm.

Opening hours

Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.

Check access with the parish before travelling. Services and seasonal changes can affect visits.

Contact & official information

Eskelhems pastorat

Eskelhems pastorat

Eskelhems kyrka

Eskelhems kyrka is a medieval parish church on Gotland, within Visby stift. Built up in stages from an earlier romanesque structure, it is notable for its unusually large gothic chancel and a set of well-preserved medieval wall paintings.

Eskelhem kyrka, 62270, Eskelhem

Explore this church: Eskelhems kyrka

Church information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.

Other churches in the same diocese

Basic listing

Guldrupe kyrka

Guldrupe kyrka is a medieval parish church standing in the countryside of central Gotland, part of Vänge församling within the Diocese of Visby. Its weathered limestone walls and steep pyramidal tower roof reflect centuries of…

622 34, Romakloster

View church details: Guldrupe kyrka

Sources & credits

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: 8 Jun 2022. This is not an independent verification date.

Source record: 74d360f7-37dc-4923-9ca0-09e047baa61d

Guide sources

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.

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Church data retrieved 24 Sep 2026. Visiting details have not been independently verified.

Sources, licences & reuse

Independent guide

Churches in Sweden is an independent guide. It is not an official Svenska kyrkan website and does not imply sponsorship or endorsement.

Church information

Source: Svenska kyrkan — Platser, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. English adaptations by Churches in Sweden are identified on each profile. Our adaptations solely from Platser are offered under CC BY 4.0. Guides combining Wikipedia with other compatible sources are identified individually and offered under CC BY-SA 4.0; this covers that guide text, not the whole website. Separately credited third-party material retains its stated terms. Independently written descriptions are identified on their profiles. Imported material has not been independently verified. Original names and visiting details are retained; presentation is reformatted. Each profile identifies its source record and any additional supplied credits.

You may reuse the licensed church material under CC BY 4.0, including commercially, with the required attribution, licence link and indication of changes. No additional site restriction overrides those rights. The licence does not automatically cover separately credited images or map data.

Provider disclaimer

Svenska kyrkan supplies Platser data without guaranteeing that it is correct, current, complete across its organisation, or always available. The material is provided as-is and as-available, subject to the licence’s disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability.

Svenska kyrkan kan ej garantera att den data som finns i Platser:
– är korrekt.
– är aktuell.
– är komplett för hela Svenska kyrkans organisation.
– alltid är tillgänglig.

Preserved provider agreement · Full licence

Automatic diocese associations use the organisation codes from Svenska kyrkan UnitAPI. An association does not establish ownership or denomination. External editorial sources are credited separately.

Map and photographs

Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL and © OpenMapTiles. Tiles and style are served by World Class Maps. Map rendering uses MapLibre GL JS. The map’s own attribution remains visible.

Photographs are credited individually with their own licence or permission. The API data licence does not automatically cover photographs. No images are imported automatically.