Nydala Abbey

[1][2] It is furthermore unique in Sweden in that the Cistercian ideal of almost complete isolation was respected: the abbey was built in an area away from any settlement.

[2] As late as 1503, a letter of protection for the abbey was issued by the Pope Julius II.

[2][5] The event could possibly be explained by the fact that the abbey may have been run and populated by members of the Swedish nobility that formed part of the resistance against Danish rule.

[2] Soon after, in 1527 during the Swedish Reformation, King Gustavus Vasa appropriated the abbey and confiscated its remaining valuables in accordance with the Reduction of Gustav I of Sweden.

[2] The abbey suffered again during the Northern Seven Years' War, when it was burnt and pillaged by Danish troops in 1568.

[3][2] The church was built according to the ideas and ideals of Cistercian architecture as developed in France.

[3] Especially the eastern end of the church retains several fine details and displays much of its original medieval character.

[3][2] Internally, many of the church fittings date from the Baroque era, including the altarpiece and the pulpit.

Aerial view of the abbey. In the centre of the picture is the church and the renovated gatehouse chapel. To the left some ruins of the medieval abbey can be seen, while at the top of the picture Nydala Manor is discernible.
Engraving showing the site of Nydala Abbey in the late 17th century. From Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna by Erik Dahlbergh .
Nydala Abbey, view of the eastern façade of the church