Skara Cathedral
On a rainy day, or when you want to see something other than the lake, Skara Cathedral is a good destination. The church is regarded as Sweden's oldest cathedral, and when you step inside you are met by the light from Bo Beskow's stained glass windows. Around the church lie Skara's museums and the old town centre, so it is easy to make a whole day of the visit.
The cathedral
One of Sweden's grandest cathedrals
There has been a church here since the 1000s, and the first cathedral was consecrated around 1150. Since then it has been rebuilt many times, and the Gothic church you see today grew up during the 1200s and 1300s.
Under the chancel lies the crypt from the first church. It was filled in during the 1200s and was forgotten for seven hundred years until it was found in 1949, and today you can walk down the steps to a quiet room for prayer.
The towers have a history of their own. After a fire in 1719 they became lower, and in the early 1800s they were given flat roofs, so that the church was popularly called "Skara byxor" (Skara trousers). Only in the 1880s did they get their tall, pointed spires back.
Most famous are the windows, 37 of them, made by the artist Bo Beskow between 1945 and 1976. Most have motifs from the Bible, but here you also find the Swedish saints Birgitta and Helena of Skövde, and on a sunny day they colour the light throughout the church.
Visiting: the cathedral is open every day all year, with longer opening hours in summer, and entry is free. Groups can book a guided tour. It is a living church, so during services, baptisms and funerals your visit may have to wait. Current times are available from the Church of Sweden.
Skara around the cathedral
Make a day of it
The cathedral lies in the middle of the old town centre, and several of Skara's museums are only a few minutes' walk away. At the Västergötland Museum you can meet Kata from Varnhem, reconstructed life-size, and next door lies the open-air museum Fornbyn.
Tip: combine the cathedral with Varnhem and see Kata's grave at Kata gård on the same day.
Getting there from the campsite
Overview map
- Car
about 10 km, roughly 15 minutes along road 49. There is parking around the cathedral.
- Bike
about 10 km, roughly 40 minutes.
- Bus
There are buses to Axvall and Varnhem, but the stops are several kilometres from the campsite. You can walk, but it is a long way, so we recommend a taxi for the last stretch. Timetables and journey planning at Västtrafik
Some of our guests arrive by bicycle. Road 49 past the campsite has no cycle path today, so do not cycle along it. There are minor roads from Skara, Skövde and Varnhem, but they are detours and therefore longer than the distances by road: it is 10 km to Skara, 16 km to Skövde and 4 km to Varnhem. The Swedish Transport Administration is building a walking and cycling path as part of the rebuilding of road 49. Bicycles
Quick facts
Age
first known cathedral consecrated around 1150, traces of a church from the 1000s
Dedicated to
the Virgin Mary
Towers
two, 63 metres high
Crypt
from the first church, rediscovered in 1949
Windows
37 stained glass windows by Bo Beskow, 1945–1976
Admission
free
Open
every day all year, longer in summer
Address
Stora Kyrkogatan, Skara
Distance from Valle Camping
10 km
Frequently asked questions
Is Skara Cathedral Sweden's oldest?
The Diocese of Skara is Sweden's oldest diocese, and the cathedral dates back to the 12th century. The Church of Sweden considers it Sweden's oldest cathedral – Lund Cathedral is older as a building, but Lund was part of Denmark at the time.
Does it cost anything to go in?
No, entry is free.
How long does a visit take?
Allow half an hour for the church, and more if you want to see the museums nearby.
Who made the windows?
The artist Bo Beskow, who made 37 stained glass windows for the church between 1945 and 1976.
Why is the cathedral called "Skara byxor"?
In the early 1800s the towers had flat roofs, and the church then looked like a pair of trousers.
How far is it from Valle Camping?
About 10 km, roughly 15 minutes by car.
Stay close to Skara
With Valle Camping as your base, the lake, the countryside and Skaraborg are close by. Choose your accommodation and dates.
