Yesterday we visited the original settlement of Lulea, which is now called Gammelstad. The township of Lulea was relocated in the 17th century as the land had risen so much that the town which was originally on the harbour was now several kilometres from the coast. The current church was built on the site in the fifteenth century, acting both as a church and a fort.
Around the church, Gammelstad is a church town which meant that all the families in the parish had a cottage they could stay in when they were attending church. As this was the church for most of the north of Sweden, it could be a number of days travel to attend church, hence the cottages to stay in. Gammelstad has been preserved as one of the only remaining church towns in the world, and still remains as it was today.
The Gammelstad Church.
This artwork behind the altar (the original altar?) cost the same as in the main cathedral in Stockholm, but unlike in Stockholm where it was paid in instalments, the farmers in Lulea paid cash.
The cottages with the church at the top of the hill.
Swedes love christmas lights.
Typical cottages.
The snow was quite deep.
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