In the Hälsingland countryside, at Trönö northwest of Söderhamn, lies Norrland's best-preserved church dating from the Middle Ages. The architecture suggests 16th Century, but the church is actually 300 years older than that.

Unlike many other churches, Trönö Old Church was spared extensive modification by more recent generations. As the granite walls are unrendered its history can be read in the joints and seams. Each addition remains in place to form a multilayered testimony to the building's history.

The oldest parts dating from the 13th Century can be traced in the northwest section of the nave. In the 16th Century the narrow granite church was converted into a larger single nave hall church with arch and fine relief decor. A new vestry was added in the 18th Century along with other fixtures and fittings, including an altarpiece and bench furnishings.

A remarkably well-preserved wooden roofed wall surrounds the church. The lychgates - arched passageways - have tarred timber saddle-backed roofs. This wall also dates from the Middle Ages, although parts of it were subsequently renovated.

Although the freestanding bell tower has not been dated, it is very similar in design to older Norwegian stave churches, with shingled roof and shingle-clad timber. In 1936 a memorial bell was installed in the bell tower, which is rung twice a year in memory of Archbishop Nathan Söderblom on the anniversary of his birth and death. The vicarage to the northeast of the church grounds was the childhood home of Söderblom.

When building work on the new church in Trönö was completed in 1895 many fixtures and fittings were transferred from the old church to the new, including the famous reliquary from 13th Century France. This new church was destroyed by fire in 1998 and many of these historic treasures were lost. However, the Trönö reliquary was able to be restored and is once again on display at Trönö new church.

Trönö Old Church fell into disuse when the new church was completed. It was carefully restored in 1914-15. With its numerous preserved period details and rich interior, the old church is well worth a visit.

How to get there

Trönö old church is in Hälsingland, between Söderhamn and Bollnäs. Take the turning for Trönö from Highway 50, and then follow the signs.