Varnhem
Varnhem | |
|---|---|
 The stone foundation of the old church of Varnhem, dated 1040 or earlier. | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Västergötland |
| County | Västra Götaland County |
| Municipality | Skara Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi) |
| Population (2005-12-31)[1] | |
| • Total | 718 |
| • Density | 907/km2 (2,350/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Varnhem is a locality situated in Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 718 inhabitants in 2005.[1]
Varnhem is the location of the oldest known stone church in Sweden outside of Scania, erected in the 1040s at the latest. It is also the location of a Christian cemetery which was in use during the end of the ninth century.
The Cistercian Order established Varnhem Abbey around 1150, not far from the old church. A new abbey church was erected to replace the older church; the abbey church is still in use.
Varnhem and in particular its abbey has received additional attention in recent years due to it being the main location of The Knight Templar trilogy written by Jan Guillou, and subsequently filmed. Arn Magnusson, the hero character of the series is portrayed as living there.
Birger jarl and his family lie buried in Varnhem.
References
- ^ a b c "Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km2 2000 och 2005" (xls) (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
External links
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