The cathedral has been much altered over time, and its appearance today is largely the result of a far-reaching restoration carried out in the 1950s under the guidance of architect Kurt von Schmalensee.

While the legend is largely unreliable as a historical source,[2] it is probable that a wooden church was built on the same site as the current cathedral in the 11th century, during the Christianization of Scandinavia.

[3] Coins from the 11th century have been found during excavations within the church, and a preserved Christian runestone from the same century (Rundata number Sm 10), today located next to the choir wall, may be further indication of the early presence of a wooden church on the site.

[4][5] The Diocese of Växjö was formed at the end of the 1160s, and the construction of a stone church was most likely initiated at approximately the same time.

[12] A sacristy was also added, probably in the early 14th century; it was robbed by Danish and German soldiers in 1318 and thus clearly existed by then.

[5] At the end of the century, the shape of the cathedral had become rather irregular as a result of these successive additions and rebuilding schemes.

[15] The rib vaults that were constructed are of a type which drew on examples from Vadstena Abbey and the earlier architecture of the Teutonic Order.

[16] An inscription in the church, which has since vanished, stated that the vaults were finished in 1509 and made by a mason from Linköping.

King John III of Sweden granted the citizens of Växjö three years of reprieve from taxation following the attack, so that they would have funds to repair the cathedral.

[30][31] Despite opposition from the government agency for the administration of state buildings (Överintendentsämbetet [sv]), Brunius' plans were largely executed and the cathedral was rebuilt between 1849 and 1854.

[33] Additional far-reaching changes were made 1898–99, when the interior was re-decorated to designs by architect Carl Möller.

[7] An initial plan to restore the cathedral was prepared by architect Erik Fant [sv] and was limited to repairing the roof and walls and installing a new heating system.

[34] After the death of Fant in 1953, architect Kurt von Schmalensee took over the responsibility and presented several proposals, including an idea for a more thorough reconstruction of the cathedral.

[7] New floors were laid, the walls and vaults were strengthened and partially rebuilt, a new southern portal was erected, the windows were changed, the tower was altered and two new spires were built.

[5] When the cathedral was built, its south façade was less than 20 metres (22 yd) from the shore of Växjö Lake.

[38] Due to water control measures taken during the 18th and 19th centuries, the shore is now considerably further away from the cathedral, which now stands in a park laid out in 1879.

[40] In front of the cathedral there is a statue commemorating Saint Sigfrid, installed in 1999 and designed by sculptor Peter Linde.

[43] The building consists of a nave with two aisles with a rectangular floor plan, a broad western tower and a square choir.

Its current appearance dates from the middle of the 19th century; the copper-covered doors and the ornamental window in the tympanum are from the 1950s.

[49] The interior is painted white and uniformly lit by windows of approximately equal size, all except one dating from the 1950s renovation.

[18] Inside the main entrance is a windbreak with glass doors decorated by artist Irene Jarz [sv] and installed in 1996.

Another piece of glass art is a candle holder located to the west of the entrance to the nave; it was made in the late 20th century by Erik Höglund [sv] with metal parts by Lars Larsson.

The pulpit and the former baptismal font were made by Jan Brazda [sv] in connection with the restoration in the 1950s.

The former chantry chapel is screened off from the rest of the church by glass doors, also decorated by Irene Jarz, and contains an altar and cross by Jan Brazda.