Storkyrkan i Edsleskog – Historia, arkeologi och arkitektur

Abstract

Between 2019 and 2021 an archaeological research project was conducted with the aim to study the early medieval brick church of Edsleskog. The results showed that it was constructed as a Romanesque cruciform church, dating at least to the beginning of the 13th century. In this article the focus is the architectural design and history of the building. By comparative examples and historical documentation, it was possible to get a better understanding of how the church was designed. A few changes were made to the church through different building phases. The northern semitransept and a sacristy or chapel on the northern side of the choir were added later to the building, during the first half of the 13th century. A tower or a ridge turret were likely built during the late Middle Ages. Its position or type of construction has not been possible to determine. In 1568 the church burned down and was only rebuilt in reduced size.