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Edsleskog church– Pilgrimage and spatial power–

Andersson, Alva LU (2026) ARKM35 20261
Department of Archaeology and Ancient History
Abstract
During 2019–2021 the ruins of the medieval church in Edsleskog, Dalsland were excavated. Upon
unearthing the church, it was concluded that it was most likely the oldest known brick building in
Sweden. The church was also huge and shared many architectural similarities with contemporary
cathedrals. The small hamlet of Edsleskog is located in the northern forests of Dalsland, a region
that historically has been in the periphery of administration, and the church was most likely a
difficult travel destination during the medieval era. The main explanation for the existence of the
medieval church in Edsleskog is that it was a pilgrimage church. The church was a pilgrimage
destination for the local St. Nicolaus, and it was probably... (More)
During 2019–2021 the ruins of the medieval church in Edsleskog, Dalsland were excavated. Upon
unearthing the church, it was concluded that it was most likely the oldest known brick building in
Sweden. The church was also huge and shared many architectural similarities with contemporary
cathedrals. The small hamlet of Edsleskog is located in the northern forests of Dalsland, a region
that historically has been in the periphery of administration, and the church was most likely a
difficult travel destination during the medieval era. The main explanation for the existence of the
medieval church in Edsleskog is that it was a pilgrimage church. The church was a pilgrimage
destination for the local St. Nicolaus, and it was probably built under the influence of the diocese
of Skara and connected to the pilgrimage to the grave of St. Olof in Nidaros. Although, this thesis
aimed to question if this was the original reason for building the medieval church in Edsleskog. To
find the origin of the building this thesis analyzed the church´s archeology, history and the relevant
map material, and compared Edsleskog church to its neighbouring churches, the other medieval
brick churches in Dalsland and other medieval pilgrimage churches. This thesis concluded that the
medieval church in Edsleskog was most likely built as a pilgrimage church, but by a private agent
and for the local cult. In all likelihood, the connections to the diocese of Skara and possibly the
pilgrimage to Nidaros were later additions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Andersson, Alva LU
supervisor
organization
course
ARKM35 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Edsleskog, Church, Medieval, Early medieval, diocese of Skara, pilgrimage
language
English
id
9247396
date added to LUP
2026-10-01 13:21:40
date last changed
2026-10-01 13:21:40
@misc{9247396,
  abstract     = {{During 2019–2021 the ruins of the medieval church in Edsleskog, Dalsland were excavated. Upon 
unearthing the church, it was concluded that it was most likely the oldest known brick building in 
Sweden. The church was also huge and shared many architectural similarities with contemporary 
cathedrals. The small hamlet of Edsleskog is located in the northern forests of Dalsland, a region 
that historically has been in the periphery of administration, and the church was most likely a 
difficult travel destination during the medieval era. The main explanation for the existence of the 
medieval church in Edsleskog is that it was a pilgrimage church. The church was a pilgrimage 
destination for the local St. Nicolaus, and it was probably built under the influence of the diocese 
of Skara and connected to the pilgrimage to the grave of St. Olof in Nidaros. Although, this thesis 
aimed to question if this was the original reason for building the medieval church in Edsleskog. To 
find the origin of the building this thesis analyzed the church´s archeology, history and the relevant 
map material, and compared Edsleskog church to its neighbouring churches, the other medieval 
brick churches in Dalsland and other medieval pilgrimage churches. This thesis concluded that the 
medieval church in Edsleskog was most likely built as a pilgrimage church, but by a private agent 
and for the local cult. In all likelihood, the connections to the diocese of Skara and possibly the 
pilgrimage to Nidaros were later additions.}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Alva}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Edsleskog church– Pilgrimage and spatial power–}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}