Hogstad: Romanesque Church and Historic Tombstones

Church and Building History

Hogstad Church combines a Romanesque architectural style with a building history dating back to the late 12th century. The choir, apse and nave, extending to the present-day gallery, have survived from the original church building. The church acquired its present appearance in 1871. This means that medieval elements and a much later phase of design stand side by side in the same building. This distinction is important for understanding the church: what has been preserved belongs to the 12th-century church building, while its present appearance is the result of changes made in the 19th century.

The medieval masonry and Romanesque floor plan of Hogstad Church also have very high ecclesiastical historical value. The architectural style and floor plan describe different aspects: the style classifies the architectural design, while the floor plan describes the layout of the building. Together with the choir, apse and nave, they offer specific points of reference for considering the church both in terms of its form and its surviving parts. This adds a spatial perspective to the dating of the church to the late 12th century.

Furnishings from Several Centuries

The furnishings provide further markers in time. Hogstad Church contains a stone baptismal font from the 12th century. The church bell dates from the 13th century and is probably the oldest in Östergötland. A 15th-century altarpiece is also part of the furnishings. These dated items thus span several centuries; the baptismal font, bell and altarpiece complement the building history with objects that each have their own dating.

A 16th-century pulpit from Hogstad Church is on display at the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm and is considered one of the two oldest in Sweden. Its origin and exhibition location should be distinguished: it comes from Hogstad Church but is displayed in Stockholm. This makes it possible to understand the history of the church furnishings beyond the current location of this particular item.

Tombstones in the Churchyard

The churchyard at Hogstad Church also adds to the cultural-historical perspective. Several tall, narrow tombstones from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved along its edge. Two of the oldest tombstones still in their original location are horizontal, sarcophagus-like stones. One tombstone is shaped like a Roman-Etruscan rock tomb. Information about their dates, locations and forms offers different perspectives on the tombstones and gives the churchyard its own subject alongside the church’s building history.

Tour and Directions

A digital tour is available of Hogstad Church and the churchyard. It covers both areas and adds a shared perspective on the church and churchyard to their chronological context: the building and furnishings history on the one hand, and the different tombstones on the other. The church is located on the road between Hogstad and Bjälbo. Café Sharpman is in Hogstad.

Discover more places to visit: Skänninge, Väderstad, Mantorp, Mjölby

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