Vadstena Abbey and Castle

The Mother House Of Saint Birgitta'S Order, A Medieval Pilgrimage Centre With The Blue Church And Her Shrine, Beside Gustav Vasa'S Moated Castle On Lake Vattern · Vadstena, Ostergotland County

Vadstena, a small medieval town on the east shore of Lake Vattern, was the heart of religious Sweden for 150 years. Saint Birgitta, the 14th-century noblewoman, mystic and visionary, founded the Birgittine order, the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, and chose Vadstena for its mother house on a royal estate given by King Magnus Eriksson. After her death in Rome in 1373 her remains were brought here, the abbey grew rich and influential, and pilgrims came from across northern Europe until the Reformation closed it. Its great survivor is the Blue Church, named for its grey-blue limestone, consecrated in 1430 and still holding the shrine said to contain Birgitta's relics. A short walk away stands Vadstena Castle, the moated fortress Gustav Vasa began in 1545 to guard the lake. People come for the church, the pilgrim atmosphere, the castle, the old town with its lace tradition and summer opera. The honest caveat: the abbey buildings are mostly plain, parts of the castle may be closed for work, and outside summer the town is very quiet.

Vadstena Abbey and the Blue Church by Lake Vattern, and Vadstena Castle at the harbour, Vadstena, Ostergotland County, Sweden

The Blue Church (Klosterkyrkan) is a working Church of Sweden parish church and is usually open daily, with longer hours from about May to September and shorter hours in winter; it closes to sightseers during services, weddings and funerals - check the parish schedule. The abbey grounds and lakeside are open at all times. Vadstena Castle usually opens daily in summer and on fewer days or for booked groups the rest of the year, and parts of it may be closed or under renovation - confirm it is open and what can be seen before you travel. Getting there: Vadstena has no railway station. Take an SJ or regional train to Motala or Mjolby and then an Ostgotatrafiken bus of roughly 20-40 minutes, or drive: the town is about 15 km south of Motala and 45-50 km west of Linkoping, with pay parking near the centre. Book summer opera tickets, group tours and hotel beds in July well ahead; the church itself needs no booking.

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