Täby Church — Albertus Pictor's Medieval Frescoes

A Church That Never Fell Silent

Täby Church was built in the mid-13th century as a stone church on the southern shore of Lake Vallentuna. The location has an even longer history — archaeologists believe that the Viking-era chieftain Jarlabanke had his estate right here in the 10th century. In the church wall sits a runestone (U133) of red granite, carved around 1050–1080, which tells of a man named Holme who died in Langbardaland — the ancient name for southern Italy, possibly in Byzantine service.

Albertus Pictor's Masterpiece

In the 1480s, the master painter Albertus Pictor — the Latinized name for Albrekt Målare — and his workshop were commissioned to decorate the vaults. He painted around thirty churches in the Mälar region, but Täby is unique: the paintings have never been whitewashed over and appear today with a colour intensity and sharpness that is unparalleled in the Nordic region.

The images unfold like a medieval comic strip across the vault arches: biblical scenes with figures dressed as 15th-century nobility, priests and citizens — often with a satirical jab resembling caricatures. In the west vault, at the top of the stairs to the organ loft, sits the most famous image: a knight playing chess with Death. Ingmar Bergman used the motif directly in The Seventh Seal (1957).

Rune Kingdom and Surroundings

Täby Church is part of Rune Kingdom, a cultural heritage collaboration between Täby and Vallentuna municipalities that connects nine Viking-age and medieval sites around Lake Vallentuna. With information maps and audio guides, visitors can walk or cycle between the sites along well-marked trails. The nearest SL bus stop is called Täby kyrka.

Worth Knowing

The church is an active place of worship and part of Täby Parish. Contact the parish for current opening hours and to book a guided tour. During the summer season, standing guided tours are offered at Täby Church.