Vårviks kyrka stands in a strikingly beautiful setting on an island in Lake Västra Silen, in Dalsland. Built in 1843-46, it is probably the third church to occupy the parish since the early Middle Ages, and it incorporates remarkable survivals from its medieval predecessors.
About five hundred metres southwest of the present building lies the site of an earlier wooden church, said to have been rebuilt or newly built in the mid-17th century (sources differ, giving either 1656 or 1662). The spot is marked today by a memorial stone. That church is thought to have had at least one predecessor of its own, probably a stave church. From this earliest building a single plank survives, carved with detailed ornamentation dated to the 13th century; it is now held at the Swedish History Museum.
The current church, completed in 1843-46, was designed by Johan Fredrik Åbom, a noted Stockholm architect of his day, and is considered a good example of Swedish Neoclassicism. It has a single-nave rectangular plan with a tower to the northwest, walls of white-rendered stone, and large round-arched windows. The exterior is largely unaltered since construction.
A distinctive feature is the tower's timber lantern, known locally as the 'lykthus' (lantern house). By tradition a lamp is lit here in the evenings, and it has been suggested that the light may once have served to guide boats on the lake, though this remains a matter of local tradition rather than documented fact.
Inside, the church is dominated by a tall altarpiece with a temple-like gable bearing a gilded inscription of thanksgiving. This structure is flanked by two side chambers with galleries above, giving the interior an unusual layout. Behind the altar stands a gilded cross before a stained-glass chancel window.
Among the notable furnishings are a 13th-century soapstone font, well preserved and finely carved with rope and foliate patterns, and a small Limoges crucifix of copper with enamel inlay, also dating from the 13th century — both survivals from the medieval churches that once stood nearby. The pulpit is thought to be substantially original, though reworked in the 20th century. In 2003 the church was reportedly named Sweden's most beautiful by a Swedish magazine, though this is a subjective press accolade rather than a verifiable historical fact.
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.
Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.
Hearing loop: The venue has a hearing loop.
Ärtemarks pastorat
Ärtemarks pastorat
Vårviks kyrka stands in a strikingly beautiful setting on an island in Lake Västra Silen, in Dalsland. Built in 1843-46, it is probably the third church to occupy the parish since the early Middle Ages, and it incorporates remarkable survivals from its medieval predecessors.
Karlsbergsvägen 17, 66631, Bengtsfors
Explore this church: Vårviks kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Dals-Eds kyrka stands high beside the lake Lilla Le at the heart of its parish. The present building is thought to be the third church on this site, following two earlier stone churches, one of…
Storgatan 29, 66830, ED
View church details: Dals-Eds kyrkaGrums kyrka, in Värmland, was gutted by fire in 1927 and rebuilt to reopen in 1930. Despite that disaster, it still holds fittings whose origins stretch back to the twelfth century, making it a church…
Hammarsten, 664 91, Grums
View church details: Grums kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
Tollestadsbacken, Kil
View church details: Stora Kils kyrka, Kil VärmlandKronoparkskyrkan is a modern church in Karlstad, built in 1980 to designs by the architect Janne Feldt. It forms part of a larger centre building that also houses a district library, reflecting its role at…
Signalhornsgatan 21, 656 34, Karlstad
View church details: KronoparkskyrkanSources, 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 Jul 2025. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 967aa0cf-8b38-45c0-92cb-1e7b12b7b8b3
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.