Östra Ryds kyrka stands beautifully on a hill above Kyrkviken, close to Rydboholm Castle in Österåker Municipality. Its history is closely tied to the castle's successive owners, and it holds one of Uppland's more distinctive collections of donated paintings.
The church's oldest surviving part is the sacristy, believed to date from around 1300 and originally part of an earlier building of unknown appearance. Old records mention a bishop's visitation in 1303, confirming that a church already stood here at that time. The present church is thought to have been built around 1430 by Anund Sture, who then owned the Rydboholm estate; the theory rests on an inscription in the chancel vault. Medieval fittings, including a font and a sculpture of Catherine of Alexandria, are believed to date from a similar period.
In 1449 the walls and vaults were decorated with murals by Johannes Iwan, according to an inscription among the paintings. Later, most of these were limewashed over and only rediscovered and uncovered in stages, first in 1835, then in 1924, with further work during a major restoration in 1991.
The church gained its present cross-shaped form between 1690 and 1693, when Nils Brahe owned Rydboholm. The nave's north and south walls were opened up to create transept arms, the tower was given its lantern-like upper stage and onion dome, and a polygonal burial chapel for the Brahe family was added to the east, separated from the church interior by an ornate wrought-iron screen. The medieval porch was removed, and the ground floor of the tower has served as the entrance since. The architect responsible for these alterations may have been Jean de la Vallée, though this is not certain.
The interior is notable for its many furnishings, a number of them gifts from members of the Brahe and Vasa families associated with Rydboholm. Around forty older oil paintings are displayed in the church, forming an unusually rich collection for a rural parish church. An oak altar cabinet from 1488, attributed to a carpenter named Johannes, and a medieval crucifix and wooden saint's figure from a Mälardalen workshop are also among the church's notable furnishings.
The church has had several organs over the centuries, with the current instrument incorporating older pipework from the 19th century within a rebuilt and enlarged case. Musically minded visitors may find this layered history of interest, though the details of the various rebuildings are largely a matter for specialists.
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Österåkers pastorat
Österåkers pastorat
Östra Ryds kyrka stands beautifully on a hill above Kyrkviken, close to Rydboholm Castle in Österåker Municipality. Its history is closely tied to the castle's successive owners, and it holds one of Uppland's more distinctive collections of donated paintings.
Östra Ryds kyrkväg 21, Åkersberga, Rydbo
Explore this church: Östra Ryds kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Location and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
Kyrkvägen 7, Västerhaninge
View church details: Västerhaninge kyrkaFrösunda kyrka is a medieval parish church in Vallentuna, north-east of Stockholm, built of split granite in the 15th century on a site where an earlier, probably timber, church had already stood. Its interior preserves…
View church details: Frösunda kyrkaS:t Martins kapell
Prostvägen 8, 171 64, Solna
View church details: S:t Martins kapellKummelnäs kapell is a small wooden chapel in Kummelnäs, part of Nacka municipality outside Stockholm. Built in 1925, it now serves Boo parish, chiefly hosting children's activities, christenings and private hire.
Kummelnäsvägen 70, 132 37, Saltsjö-boo
View church details: Kummelnäs kapellSources, 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 Aug 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 6645a8e4-8a0f-4f4f-90fb-eb892f609407
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.