Tosterups kyrka stands beside Tosterup Castle in Skåne, a modest but historically rich church whose plain exterior conceals a fascinating story of medieval origins, a 16th-century rebuilding, and remarkable painted decoration linking it to Saint Bridget of Sweden.
The church's north wall is its most remarkable feature: a largely untouched limestone facade dating from the first half of the 1100s, complete with a Romanesque doorway and window. For centuries the whole building was thought to date from 1598, until research by theologian Curt Wallin in the early 1950s revealed that the foundation stones of the north wall differed in shape from the rest. Subsequent uncovering of the wall confirmed its medieval origin, making it one of the older surviving fragments of Skåne church architecture still visible today.
The rest of the church, including the south side and chancel, was rebuilt in 1598 as a burial church for the lords of the castle, complete with a burial vault. The pews from this period survive, with the Brahe family's coat of arms on the men's side and the Pasberg arms on the women's side, reflecting the church's close ties to the aristocratic families of Tosterup.
Inside, visitors can see striking wall paintings from the 1400s, attributed to the so-called Vittskövle Master, sometimes identified as the medieval church painter Nils Håkansson of Vadstena. These paintings were created in the spirit of Saint Bridget, who is depicted at her writing desk in the place of honour on the triumphal arch. The chancel holds a depiction of the legend of Saint George and the dragon, while a scene showing the Mass of Bolsena appears on the east wall of the nave, beside the triumphal arch.
The porch contains the ornate coffin of Jörgen Krabbe, a notable feature for visitors, and sources also mention a gravestone commemorating Tycho Brahe the Elder, said to have been made by the sculptor Adam van Düren, though this attribution is not independently confirmed here. The church is also mentioned in Fritiof Nilsson's novel Bombi Bitt och jag, adding a literary footnote to its history.
The furnishings from the 1700s, including much of the church's fittings, complete the interior's layered character, blending Romanesque stonework, Renaissance-era rebuilding, and later decorative additions into a small but memorable castle church.
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Smedstorps församling
Smedstorps församling
Tosterups kyrka stands beside Tosterup Castle in Skåne, a modest but historically rich church whose plain exterior conceals a fascinating story of medieval origins, a 16th-century rebuilding, and remarkable painted decoration linking it to Saint Bridget of Sweden.
Tosterup 201, 273 91, Tomelilla
Explore this church: Tosterups kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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Fridhemstorget 25, 217 53, Malmö
View church details: S:t Andreas 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: 24 Jun 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: e8f57531-9b4b-4e18-bd34-d1cc6572a601
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.