Linde Church, Medieval church in Linde, Sweden.
Linde Church is a Romanesque limestone church on Gotland. The choir and apse were built first, around 1200, followed by the nave with a central column supporting its vaults, and the tower in the mid-13th century. The nave and choir portals carry Romanesque sculptures, and a cemetery adjoins the building.
Linde Church was built in stages: the choir and apse were erected in the late 12th or early 13th century, the nave about four decades later, and the tower around the mid-13th century. In the 14th century a Gothic window was inserted in the apse and the triumphal arch was widened into a pointed shape. The church was restored in 1951–52 and again in 1973–75.
The northern wall displays 15th-century wall paintings depicting the Passion of Christ, while the western side shows scenes of women tormented by demons. These images remain visible to visitors as part of the church's visual story.
The building serves as both a place of worship and burial ground, with the cemetery directly integrated into the architectural complex. A visit requires respect for the active religious and commemorative nature of the site.
The church holds two 12th-century baptismal fonts, one possibly carved by the stonemason Hegvald; the second font is now kept at the Gotland Museum. The altarpiece's doors also hide painted scenes from saints' legends on their inner sides.
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