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Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

Highlight • Religious Site

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

Recommended by 31 hikers out of 33

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Location: Vadstena, Östergötland, Sweden

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Best Hikes to Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

5.0

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1. Historic Pharmacy Vadstena – Lake Vättern Waterfront loop from Vadstena

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Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.3

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2. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Vadstena Castle loop from Vadstena

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3. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Historic Pharmacy Vadstena loop from Vadstena

7.70km

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Easy

Tips

JR56

November 17, 2019

From the pier on the Vadstena beach promenade, you have a great view over the water to St. Birgitta's monastery.
In 1346, the foundation stone was laid in the town of Vadstena for a monastery that was planned by Saint Birgitta and was to become the mother monastery for the Birgittine order.

In 1384, eleven years after Saint Birgitta's death, the monastery was consecrated.

It developed into a spiritual center and, thanks to donations, became the largest landowner in Sweden. The monastery survived the Reformation until 1595.
In 1369, construction of the monastery church began. According to Saint Birgitta's instructions, the church was to be simple and unadorned. In 1374, her daughter, Saint Catherine of Sweden, succeeded Birgitta as the new abbess of the monastery.
The church is a three-aisled Gothic building made of blue-gray limestone - hence the name Blåkyrkan (Blue Church). The nuns' choir was to the west, while the monks' choir was to the east. The church was consecrated in 1430, but it took another decade to be completed. The church was very popular as a church of the Holy Sepulchre, and a large number of medieval gravestones have been preserved. deacademic.com/dic.nsf/dewiki/779406

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Torsten E.

June 6, 2022

You should take a guided tour (available in German) and let them show you individual aspects of the extensive church and the outbuildings - living history. The sound in the church is wonderful due to the considerable height, if you get the chance to attend a concert you should go - unfortunately we only had an instrument rehearsal.

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Volker Rump 🌲〽️

August 6, 2025

Impressive Catholic church in Gothic style.

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Elevation 100 m

Weather

Today

Monday 3 November

9°C

7°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Vadstena, Östergötland, Sweden

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Vadstena Lighthouse and Pier

Vadstena Lake Vättern Promenade

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Platen's Grave

Historic Pharmacy Vadstena

Vadstena Castle

Vadstena Street

Vadstena Beach

Secluded Beach

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

1. Historic Pharmacy Vadstena – Lake Vättern Waterfront loop from Vadstena

2. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Vadstena Castle loop from Vadstena

3. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Historic Pharmacy Vadstena loop from Vadstena

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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