Gränna kyrka

Gränna’s first church was constructed in the 12th century but was destroyed in a fire in 1889. Following the fire, construction began on a new church, which was inaugurated in 1895 and still stands today.

Located in the center of Gränna, the church dominates the town’s profile. It is built on the remnants of the original stone church from the mid-12th century, with its foundations preserved beneath the current church floor.

Fire and reconstruction

The old church underwent several renovations and expansions over the centuries. In 1673, Count Per Brahe the Younger financed the construction of a new stone tower. However, much of the church was destroyed in a fire in 1889. The fire started in a house across the street, and sparks ignited the church’s freshly tarred wooden roof. Despite significant rescue efforts, the church could not be saved.

A new church, designed in an elegant Baroque style, was built a few years later and inaugurated on September 15, 1895. Some remnants of the old walls were incorporated into the new structure. Inside, the architecture is simple yet striking, with large white surfaces and ample natural light streaming through the tall windows. The three chancel windows depict scenes from Jesus’ final days: the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Interior

Many of the church’s furnishings survived the 1889 fire, including the medieval baptismal font, altar painting, sacrament cabinet, church silver, and chandeliers. During the clearing of the fire’s remnants, a sandstone apse window, likely from the medieval church, was discovered. This window now adorns one of the church’s walls.

Summer church

Gränna Church is typically open to visitors from late June to early August, offering hosts/guides, tours, music, and simple coffee service.

Gränna old cemetery

Surrounding the church lies the old cemetery, which ceased to be used as a burial ground in 1868 when a new cemetery was established a short distance to the southwest of the church.

The area around the church was considered too small for the growing population, and the sanitary concerns of burials so close to the street and nearby buildings were strong arguments for creating a new cemetery elsewhere.

In recent years, the old cemetery has once again been brought into use.

Gränna new cemetery

The new cemetery has a rectangular layout, clearly divided into two equally sized sections. The southern part is the older section from 1868, while the northern part is a later extension from 1953.

There is a distinct difference between the two areas. The older section has a traditional appearance, with preserved gravel-covered graves, various types of enclosures, and large, upright headstones. The newer section reflects a post-war character, with open grassy areas bordered by metre-high hedges.

Grenna chapel

At the centre of Gränna New Cemetery stands Grenna Chapel, formerly known as the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1953 and designed by Johannes Dahl Architects in Tranås. It replaced an earlier chapel from the 19th century.

To the east of the chapel stands a freestanding bell tower made of untreated wood with a metal-clad tent roof.

Notable burials at Gränna new cemetery

Amalia Erikson, the mother of the polkagris (traditional Swedish candy). Amalia shares her grave with her daughter Ida. Section 10, numbers 16–17.

Claes and Mina Andrée, pharmacists in Gränna and parents of the polar explorer Salomon August Andrée. Section 1, number 1.

Valborg Franck, primary school teacher. Valborg founded a girls’ school which she ran from her home for over 70 years. Also buried here is Augusta, a long-serving maid in the Franck household. Section 2, number 42.

Janne Johansson-Wristel, folk musician and nationally recognised fiddler, known as “Blinde-Janne”. He performed at the National Fiddlers’ Gathering at Skansen in 1910. Section 11, number 84.

Nanny Fredriksson, missionary in countries including China. Section 1, number 31.

Adrian Cesar von Düben, baron, physiotherapist, and hotel owner. A prominent figure in Gränna. Section 3, number 34.

Axel Edvard Bolling, manufacturer and one of the initiators behind the museum dedicated to polar explorer Salomon August Andrée in Gränna. Also known as “the King of Gränna”. Section 26, numbers 82–84.

How to get here