Strängnäs Things to Do

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Taken a picture of the cathedral isn't always an easy thing to do. From quite a few angles you can see the top of the tower, but when you get closer there are always some big trees or houses in the way, or also quite often the case, the sunlight come from the total wrong direction. So most of the photos I've taken ar from the gates surrounding the cathedral, which are all very nice by the way (see photos). I've been lucky enough to get one clear few from the cathedral tower, and this is when you enter through a small road from the city center up the hill towards the cathedral (photo 2)

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Strängnäs is nowadays a small town in Sweden but in the past was a very important religious and military spot. As a result the town now posses an impresive cathedral you can visit. Don't miss the chance!

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As I am from Southern Spain, this thing for me was unbelievable... walking over the frozen big mass of water, and without risk! Car drivers uses some frozen paths in winter to cross the lake in Sweden. Flat and grey horizon makes you get confused about where the lake finishes and the sky begins! Definitely new sensations for us...

Let’s take a closer look at the inside of the cathedral. One of the most impressive and beautiful things in the cathedral most be the reredos (high altar cabinet). It dates back to the 1490's and it was a made in Brussels. It was given to the Cathedral by Bishop Kort Rogge. It is one of Europe’s biggest 'reredos'. If you click on the picture you can see it a little bit better, but the altar is made as a cabinet with panels / doors that can be closed. When it is opened you can see the "The story of the Passion" in seven large and several small scenes.

The cathedral was built in 1280 on a beautiful spot, on a hill, towering over the city of Strängnäs. Strängnäs got its city rights in the same year, which makes it one of Sweden's oldest towns. In the Middle Ages Strängnäs was among the country's most important towns and the Bishop was the King's representative.
The cathedral knows a lot of Swedish history; and several Swedish kings are buried here. On nice fact, hahaha, that not even all Swedes know, is that on June 6th 1523 Gustav Vasa was elected king of Sweden at Strängnäs Cathedral. This day has still a special meaning because today this day is celebrated as Sweden’s National Day.

Strängnäs is a quiet little town in the beautiful lake area of the Mälaren, west of Stockholm. It's not really a tourist destination, but some parts of the city are nice to visit. The history of Strängnäs dates back to the Viking era. Strängnäs is actually one of Sweden's oldest towns and has played an important role as a church administrative centre in the middle Ages.
Unfortunately large parts of Strängnäs were destroyed by fire in 1871, but luckily some areas were spared. These are the parts of the town that are worth looking at. One area is around the old windmill, and the other is the cathedral. Around the windmill and the cathedral you can still find some of the old houses.
There is a little harbour in Strängnäs that gives the city a nice atmosphere. I've only done a quick visit to the city, but I did spend some time in the cathedral, and that is what this page will be about.

In a little chamber on the left side of the church there is a little 'treasure room'. Here you can see all precious objects, like the one you can see in this photo : the crown of Karl IX. The crown you can see here, and also the sceptre and the apple were made specially made in 1611 for the funeral of Karl IX. When he died in 1612 they were put in his coffin. They were also used at the funeral of Kristina in 1626. The crown, sceptre and apple are all made of gold, black and white enamel, crystal and pearls. The crown was manufactured by Antonius Groth and the sceptre and apple by Peter Kempe.

This was my little tour through the cathedral of Strängnäs. I hope you enjoyed reading about it! :-)

This is a coat of arms hanging on the wall in the cathedral. This is just one of them that I saw in the Strängnäs Cathedral. This is not unique though, I've seen similar in many of the churches in Sweden that I've visited so far.