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Västerlösa kyrka

Address
Västerlösa kyrka, 583 91, Vikingstad
Municipality
Linköpings Kommun
Denomination
Church of Sweden
Associated diocese
Diocese of Linköping

Västerlösa kyrka stands in Västerlösa, a mile west of Malmslätt in Östergötland. A consecrated burial ground, and perhaps a wooden church, existed here as early as the 11th century, though the present church was built at the very end of the 18th century.



A carved stone slab, once covering a chest-shaped grave of Eskilstuna type, testifies to the site's early Christian use. Its runic inscription records that Stenlög had the stone raised over his son Alver, asking God and God's mother to help his soul; the stone, now known as Östergötlands runinskrifter 213, is kept in the porch.

A Romanesque church of limestone and granite, with a nave, lower chancel and rounded apse, was built on the site, probably in the later 12th century, with a tower added afterwards. The base of the tower shows a medieval herringbone masonry technique known as opus spicatum, also seen elsewhere in the region, including at the Vreta convent ruin. Cross-arms were added towards the end of the 13th century, and around 1400 the interior received cross vaults.

A visiting 18th-century chronicler described a building extended on both north and south sides with chapels once used for pre-Reformation masses, and noted an old altarpiece with gilded figures, a pulpit dated 1686, and bells cast in 1707 and 1748 hanging in a separate wooden frame beside the stone tower. He also recorded the runestone's discovery in a grave opened in 1729.

By the late 18th century the medieval church could no longer accommodate the growing parish. Plans for an ambitious cross-shaped central church were rejected in favour of a simpler rectangular building in the neoclassical style, retaining the old west tower rather than building the tall spire originally proposed. The new church was built between 1795 and 1796 under county master builder Casper Seurling; sources differ slightly on whether the consecration year was 1796 or 1801.

Inside, notable furnishings include a 14th-century triumphal crucifix hanging in the chancel opening, a mid-17th-century limestone font from Michael Hacke's workshop in Skänninge, and an altarpiece depicting Christ's condemnation by Pilate, painted by Pehr Hörberg in 1798. A painted memorial from 1754 to a former vicar hangs above the sacristy door, and a small medieval stone building, possibly once used for storing tithes, still stands in the churchyard. The church's organ has origins in the early 18th century and was rebuilt several times over the following two centuries.

Opening hours

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.

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

Facilities & accessibility

  • Toilet
  • Hearing loop
  • Ramp

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.

Vikingstads församling

Västerlösa kyrka

Västerlösa kyrka stands in Västerlösa, a mile west of Malmslätt in Östergötland. A consecrated burial ground, and perhaps a wooden church, existed here as early as the 11th century, though the present church was built at the very end of the 18th century.

Västerlösa kyrka, 583 91, Vikingstad

Explore this church: Västerlösa kyrka

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

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View church details: Rinna 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: 5 Mar 2026. This is not an independent verification date.

Source record: 181a1c7e-c209-4d1a-813c-bdc4ea330155

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.

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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.