Fröjel Church

140 , 623 55 Klintehamn , Klintehamn , Gotland S , Gotland County , Sweden ,

Category: Destinations

Tags: Fröjel Church, Gotland

The church is built close to a pre-Christian so-called Troy Town, indicating an ancient site. The church was probably built not only as a house of worship but also a place of refuge in times of danger: the location on a high cliff by the sea is fortress-like, and close to the church lies the ruins of a defensive tower, dating from the Middle Ages. The oldest parts of the church itself dates from the late 12th century; it is the nave. The tower is somewhat later, while the large choir is from circa 1300, and in Gothic style rather than the Romanesque of the rest of the church. The intention was probably that the whole church should be rebuilt in Gothic style but for some reason only the choir was rebuilt.[2] The interior of the church displays several medieval frescos, depicting dragons, deer, lions and griffins, as well as an angel and a bishop. The frescos date from the early 14th century.[3] The base of the baptismal font is made by the obscure Master Byzantios, while the upper part of the font is from the 1300s. There is also a large medieval triumphal cross in Fröjel church. Later additions to the inventory include the altarpiece and the pulpit, both from the 1600s.