Härnevi Church is located in an idyllic village setting with lush trees and tarred belfry. Even the old church stables remain along the village street.
The church is filled with pictures from floor to ceiling. Sweden's foremost medieval artist, Albertus Pictor, one summer in the 1480s, he painted the walls and ceiling of the small church with biblical images, moral stories, and mysterious animals and creatures. Here you can go for a long time and look, there are lots of exciting details to discover; for example, do not miss the poor saint Erasmus who gets his intestines wound on a crank while he is boiling in oil! You will find it on the right wall, while on the ceiling you can see a nice picture of Simson and the lion.
The pig who plays the organ is also known. Albertus Pictor was not only a prominent artist but also a talented musician, perhaps the organ-playing pig was a comment on how he thought the cantor in Härnevi played….
During the summer, the church is open several days a week and you can enjoy a good coffee in the small red-painted parish hall. School children bake and run the café.
Since September 2021, the church has been open again after an extensive restoration, where Albertus Pictor's paintings have also been cleaned and preserved, so that they are clearer and clearer after centuries of dirt have been carefully removed.
Listen to the story of Härnevi Church and Albertus Pictor
Here is one audio guide that tells about Albertus Pictor and his paintings in Härnevi church.
More paintings by Albertus Pictor you will find among other things in Härkeberga church.
