DAY 145 - Rättvik Church History

Aug 11 - Almost Riding the Rättvik Church Boat

Every Sunday, (except when Lake Siljan freezes over), the boats paddle from one side of the lake to the other so people can attend the only church in the Rättvik area.

                              
 Rich and I were asked, along with Krister and Sasa to be one of the boat rowers.  Unfortunately, the early morning brought a big rain storm and the boats were cancelled.  I was very disappointed and that also meant we didn't make it to the church services, where no doubt my relatives throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries would have attended.

Seen here are one of the early L-O-N-G paddle boats parked in front of the old church

Around the church are 87 church stables (kyrkstallar), some are from the end of the 15th century. The stables were used to house the horses of parishioners while they attended services at the church.  I looked at the maps of the families who owned each stable, but was unable to find the Olafson or Bohman name.  I feel pretty confident, however, that they must have had one.

It must have been difficult in the middle of the winter to go to church, but they did it on sleigh.

                            

 

Monument from 1853 about 1520 incident described below

Monument from 1628

 Below are some of the famous old church stables as they look today.   Some of them have received new roofs over the years, but other than that, they are originals and are an icon to this area.  Most are from the 1700-1800, but the oldest ones are said to be 1470.  That is OLD OLD OLD...

 

I love how the Swedish people built their fences.

Origins of the Rättvik Church are from the 13th century. The church contains some fascinating old inventory. There is a triumphal crucifix believed to have been made in Germany in the fourteenth century. There are medieval carvings here of St. Olav and St. Stephen. There is an altarpiece depicting the Resurrection of Christ, made in the seventeenth century. The pulpit was carved in the same era.

In the tower hangs Dalarna's oldest bell trio.
The large bell from 1593 - weight is 2,000 pounds.
Small bell from 1628

Church Leaders through the Years

We took a walk on the LONG board walk built about 15 years ago that goes to Lake Siljan.

We saw some beautiful scenery

Each piece of wood on the boardwalk had a name which evidently helped pay for this

Some more rain is coming.

 We went to the ski area where Krister and Sasa work and enjoyed a couple of hours helping them and hiking around the area.  In the summer, they run a toboggan ride course which is very popular.

Rättviksbacken  -Scandinavia’s only parallel summer toboggan run.  Two pieces 725 feet long tracks next to each other go down the ski slope. It looked like a fun experience, but I opted to just watch. In Rättviksbacken you can also challenge each other in paintball.

I went for a walk up the mountain which brought an amazing view of the lake, church, and city.  It was perfect weather as I climbed a lookout tower as seen here.

I went up into this old look-out tower.  I was careful cause it felt like it might tumble down any minute.

This is probably a VERY fun ski lift in the winter - I think we have to come back.

At the top of the toboggan run.

Here I go back down the hill to say good-bye to our hosts.

I'll never forget our wonderful Swedish hosts and how gracious they were.

Sisters for life!  Bye Krister & Sasa