Vallentuna Church — the medieval mother church of the hundred

The district's oldest and most important church

Vallentuna Church was inaugurated on 1 October, a date documented in a calendar from the year 1198. The church was thus built during the 12th century and was during the Middle Ages incomparably the largest and most important in Vallentuna hundred. The address is Kyrkvägen 4, Vallentuna.

A tower with defensive function

What stood out most was the tower — Vallentuna Church was the only church in the hundred that was equipped with a tower. The placement of the entrance door high up in the tower wall suggests that the tower served a defensive purpose. The oldest parts of the building, the tower and the nave, are remains of the original Romanesque church. In the tower's northwest corner are runes that tell that the church was built by master stonemasons Andor and David — a rare direct contact with 12th-century craftsmen.

Runestones and Runriket

Next to the church stands a Jarlabanke stone, raised by the mighty Viking Age landowner Jarlabanke who controlled large parts of the area around 1050. The church is part of Runriket — a cooperation project between Vallentuna and Täby municipalities that connects nine Viking Age and medieval sites around Lake Vallentuna with information signs, maps and audio guides.

Medieval expansion and fire

During the 13th century a sacristy was added. In the 15th century the choir was extended eastward, a vestry was built at the south entrance and the tower received a high spire. The church interior was decorated with murals. A fire in 1856 destroyed the roof, vault and wooden furnishings; the reconstruction in 1857–1858 shaped the church's present appearance.

Visiting the church

The church is an active place of worship in Vallentuna parish. Contact the parish for current opening hours. The church is easily reached by Roslagsbanan to Vallentuna station.