Skara Cathedral Church

Address: Skara Cathedral (Skara domkyrka), Skara, Västra Götaland County, Sweden

Website: https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/skara-domkyrka

Hours: Typically daily 9:00am-5:00pm; check for service times and special closures

Admission: Free entry to cathedral; guided tours may have small fees

Skara Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Skara in Västra Götaland County and sits in the small city of Skara. The cathedral has origins in the early medieval period and its present Gothic-style structure dates mainly from the 13th century, with later restorations and preserved medieval elements.

• Age: One of Sweden’s oldest Christian sites with a church recorded on the site from the 11th century and major medieval fabric dating to the 13th century.

What to See#

• Crypt: A medieval crypt beneath the choir containing early tombs and archaeological layers from the cathedral’s origins in the 11th century.
• Nave and choir: The main nave and choir area, rebuilt in gothic style from the 13th century and containing later furnishings and memorials to bishops of the Diocese of Skara.
• Towers and exterior: Twin western towers and a restored exterior that reflect multiple restoration phases from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Skara is reachable by regional trains from Gothenburg (Göteborg) and by bus from nearby towns. The cathedral is in the town center within easy walking distance of Skara bus station.

• Attend an organ recital if available - the cathedral has an active music program and the acoustic is exceptional.
• Explore the crypt and museum to see medieval artifacts and the history of the diocese.
• Arrive early to watch morning light through the stained-glass windows which brings out the oldest murals.