Unique valley medieval church can change our history: "Sensational"

The story of Saint Nils begins in the late 1100s, Swedish medieval period.

In Edsleskog, in Dalsland, the priest Nils is on his way to a sick man with communion. But he never comes out without being murdered. In his honor, a church is erected. This is stated in a letter that Bishop Bengt of Skara diocese writes to Pope Honorius III in Rome in the early summer of 1220. The Pope gives his approval that one may announce the pardon, the remission of sins, to those who visit the Church.

For hundreds of years pilgrimages to the place are ongoing.

Over the years, several smaller excavations have been made at the site where the church, or rather the cathedral, should have stood. But none as great as the one that started last summer and which continues this year.

The archaeological team from the Lödöse Museum feel fairly confident that their findings should be included in the history books to re-evaluate our view of what Sweden looked like in the Middle Ages.

- It was not this centralized type of kingdom, where Stockholm was at the center, during this time, but it was more widespread. And it is definitely a big and important part of history writing that you have missed, says Anton Lazarides, field supervisor.

The discovery that the church building was older than previously thought, and that it was erected in brick - the most high-tech material of the time, makes it the oldest of its kind and a unique building in medieval Sweden.

During the summer, it is hoped to be able to get more details about the appearance of the nearly 50 x 30 meter church.

- I would say it's sensational. It is an abused word, but in this case I think we have good grounds for it, says Christian Mühlenbock, museum manager at Lödöse museum.