Labyrinthos Photo Library

Labyrinths in Scandinavian Churches

Labyrinths in churches are also found throughout Scandinavia. A few examples are graffiti, but the majority are painted as wall or ceiling decoration, as frescos directly onto fresh plaster. Unlike the pavement labyrinths to the south, with only one exception at Grinstad in Sweden, they are all of the old 'classical' design, or developments from it. They are scattered across southern Norway, Sweden and Finland, with the largest concentration in Denmark. Many are difficult to see or only partially preserved, the examples at Slidre and Seljord in Norway, Hablingbo and Grinstad in Sweden, Hesselager and Roerslev in Denmark and at Maaria church in Turku, Finland, are among the finest. All can be dated between the late 14th to early 16th centuries, with the possible exception of the unique example at Grinstad, which may belong to the early 13th century.


*Hesselager, Denmark*	*Roerslev, Denmark*

*Skive, Denmark*	*Gevninge, Denmark*

*Slidre, Norway*	*Seljord, Norway*

*Hablingbo, Gotland, Sweden*	*Lye, Gotland Sweden*

*Grinstad, Sweden*	*Levide, Gotland, Sweden*

*Grinstad, Sweden*	*Korpo, Finland*

*Pernå, Finland*	*Sibbo, Finland*

*Maaria Kyrka, Turku, Finland*	*Maaria Kyrka, Turku, Finland*

*Maaria Kyrka, Turku, Finland*	*Maaria Kyrka, Turku, Finland*

*Maaria Kyrka, Turku, Finland*

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To learn more about these labyrinths in Scandinavian churches, read Labyrinths in Nordic Churches in our archive section.