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Sweden

Östergötland

Vadstena

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

Discover

Places to see

Sweden

Östergötland

Vadstena

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

Recommended by 29 hikers out of 31

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Location: Vadstena, Östergötland, Sweden

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

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1. Vadstena Castle – Historic Pharmacy Vadstena loop from Vadstena

4.16km

01:04

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

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

6.44km

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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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3. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Vadstena Castle loop from Vadstena

3.22km

00:49

10m

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

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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

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Today

Thursday 18 September

18°C

14°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Vadstena, Östergötland, Sweden

Vadstena Abbey Church (St. Birgitta's Church)

1. Vadstena Castle – Historic Pharmacy Vadstena loop from Vadstena

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

3. Lake Vättern Waterfront – Vadstena Castle loop from Vadstena

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