Mary Magdalene Church

Gazing up at the gleaming copper roof of Maria Magdalena Kyrka, have you ever wondered about the stories whispered within its ancient stones? This church, dedicated to Jesus’ companion Mary Magdalene, stands as a testament to centuries of Stockholm’s history. Maria Magdalena Kyrka’s story begins in the 1350s. King Magnus Eriksson, with papal permission, built a funeral chapel here. This chapel was dedicated to Mary Magdalene. The original structure met a dramatic end. During the liberation of Stockholm in the 1520s, Gustav Vasa’s troops used the chapel as a base. They suffered heavy losses under attack from the Danish king, Christian II. Later, Vasa ordered the destruction of religious buildings on the city’s ridges, including the chapel. However, the story doesn’t end there. In 1588, King John III, Vasa’s son, started building a new church on the same spot. Construction paused with his death in 1592 and wasn’t finished until 1634. The church then acquired its Baroque appearance, thanks to architects Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and Younger. A magnificent spire, deemed the most beautiful in Stockholm, was added in 1676. Tragedy struck again in 1759. A fire ravaged the neighborhood, destroying the spire and many buildings. Carl Johan Cronstedt rebuilt the church, carefully preserving the original design. Look closely at the pulpit, inaugurated in 1763. It carries a medallion with Mary Magdalene’s portrait. Admire the high altar painting, “The Adoration of the Shepherds,” created around 1800 by Louis Masreliez. Within Maria Magdalena Kyrka, you’ll find more than just architectural beauty. The church holds the memories of prominent figures buried here. Among them are poet Lasse Lucidor, writer Erik Johan Stagnelius, artist Werner Aspenström, poet Karl August Nicander, and the beloved singer and composer Evert Taube. Maria Magdalena Kyrka isn’t merely a building. It’s a living chronicle of Stockholm, echoing with the voices of kings, artists, and ordinary citizens throughout history. Its resilience, like the city itself, continues to inspire.