Fredrik Church
Blekinge län
Fredrik Church, located in the heart of Karlskrona's main square (Stortorget), is a significant Baroque church designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Construction began in 1720 to replace the temporary wooden Hedvig Eleonora Church, with the foundation completed in 1721 and consecration in 1744. Named after King Frederick I, the church features notable twin towers with spires completed in 1758 and a carillon of 35 bells installed in 1967. The interior boasts a neoclassical pulpit from 1854 designed by Johan Adolf Hawerman, a carved wood baptismal font donated by shipbuilder Gilbert Sheldon, and a historically important organ originally built in 1764 and updated in the 20th century. The church has undergone several restorations, including major interior renovations between 2015 and 2018 aimed at creating a multifunctional worship space, featuring movable seating, a central altar in Carrara marble, and a distinctive elliptical black diabase baptismal font with flowing water. As part of the Karlskrona naval city UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fredrik Church stands as one of Sweden's premier examples of Roman Baroque architecture, alongside Trefaldighetskyrkan and Kalmar Cathedral.
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Tip: Visitors are encouraged to explore Fredrik Church during daylight hours for the best experience of its architecture and interior. Booking tickets in advance is generally not required as it functions as an active parish church, but checking for special events or guided tours on the official website is recommended. The church offers drop-in baptism sessions and hosts various community activities, making weekday visits ideal for quieter contemplation. Seasonal events and pilgrim walks are also organized, providing unique opportunities to engage with local culture.
Interesting facts
- •Fredrik Church is part of the Karlskrona UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its naval city heritage.
- •The church houses a carillon with 35 bells installed in 1967, which chime three times daily.
- •The baptismal font is a unique elliptical black diabase piece with a flowing water overflow effect, installed during the 2015-2018 renovation.
- •The church's first organ was built by Lars Wahlberg in 1764 and featured 34 voices driven by six large bellows.
- •Fredrik Church is considered one of the foremost monuments of Roman Baroque architecture in Sweden, alongside Trefaldighetskyrkan and Kalmar Cathedral.
History
Construction of Fredrik Church began in 1720, replacing the temporary wooden Hedvig Eleonora Church.
The foundation was laid by Governor Salomon von Otter, and the church was consecrated in 1744 in the presence of Crown Prince Adolf Frederick.
The towers with spires were completed in 1758.
The church survived a fire in 1790 better than other local churches, leading to restoration and the addition of a copper roof under architect Olof Tempelman in 1805-06.
Interior restorations took place in the early 20th century and the late 1960s, with a significant exterior restoration in the late 1990s.
A major interior renovation from 2015 to 2018 transformed the space into a multifunctional church room under the guidance of Danish restoration architect Ole Drachmann.
Place Guide
Main Square Location (Stortorget)
Fredrik Church is centrally located on Karlskrona's main square, making it a focal point of the city's historic naval heritage and urban layout.
Twin Towers and Spires1758
The church's two towers are a distinctive Baroque feature, with spires completed in 1758 and housing a carillon of 35 bells installed in 1967.
Neoclassical Pulpit1854
Designed by Johan Adolf Hawerman in 1854, the pulpit predates the altar and reflects neoclassical style within the Baroque interior.
Baptismal Font2018 (modern font)
A carved wood baptismal font was donated by shipbuilder Gilbert Sheldon, while a modern elliptical black diabase font with flowing water was added during the 2015-2018 renovation.
Organ1764 (original)
The original organ, built by Lars Wahlberg in 1764 with 34 voices, was replaced in 1905 and reconstructed in the 1980s by Grönlunds Orgelbyggeri.
Interior Multifunctional Renovation2015-2018
Between 2015 and 2018, the church interior was renovated to create a multifunctional space with movable chairs, a Carrara marble altar, and six niches for various uses including exhibitions and prayer.
Contact
Phone: 0455-33 47 00
