Bottnaryds kyrka

Bottnaryds Church is idyllically located by Lake Gårdsjön and gained fame through Colin Nutley’s TV series Bröllop, Begravning och Dop (Wedding, Funeral, and Baptism).

The current church was inaugurated in 1667, replacing a medieval church that was demolished the year prior.

During the most recent renovation in 2013, several exciting new features were added. The oak and olive wood altar table offers a hidden surprise for children to crawl under, where traces of the four evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - can be found, aligning with their representations on the ceiling.

The most notable addition from the renovation is Oasen ("The Oasis"), a bright and serene room at the back of the church, along with updated sound and lighting systems.

Artifacts

The church houses several artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries:

• Altar: The altar from the 17th century is likely a North German creation.
• Pulpit: Made of oak, dating back to 1670 and painted white and gold in 1694 by Anders Falck. Its paint was removed during renovations in the 1880s.
• Baptismal Font: Made of sandstone, dating back to the 13th century. The brass baptismal bowl is from the mid-1500s.

Wall and ceiling paintings

Between 1693 and 1695, the church’s interior was painted by master artist Anders Falck from Bogesund (now Ulricehamn). The paintings, directly applied to the timber, depict the story of salvation, from creation to the Last Judgment and the heavenly Jerusalem. Falck’s wall paintings were inspired by a German illustrated Bible from 1630 by Matthäus Merian the Elder, while the origins of his ceiling designs are less clear.

Museum

The old Ribbing burial chapel on the church’s south side was converted into a sacristy in 1771. It now houses a small museum with artifacts from the 17th century, including portraits of Johan Printz and his wife, Maria von Linnestau. Printz, the son of a Bottnaryd pastor, served as governor of the "New Sweden" colony in Delaware, America. Upon returning to Sweden, he became governor of Jönköping County. He died in 1663 and is likely buried beneath the church’s south transept. The museum also features miniature models of the ship Printz sailed to America and the first church in New Sweden.

Children’s Church

At the back of the church, children can enjoy Lekkyrkan ("The Play Church"), where they can stage their own worship services. The church is open to visitors during the summer.

Bell tower

Built in 1686, the bell tower houses three bells, two of which are medieval. While two bells are rung electronically, the third is still rung manually on rare occasions.

Memorial to Johan Printz

A plaque commemorating the 300th anniversary of Johan Printz’s death was erected in 1963 in Bottnaryds Churchyard.

Pearl trail

Don’t miss the Pearl Trail during your visit to Bottnaryds Church. Starting at the church’s bell tower, the 2 km trail circles lake Gårdsjön, offering a sensory experience and beautiful views.

How to get here