The Church
In Hästveda’s church there are among other things war captures from Riga, a runestone and 800 years old frescoes.
The church itself was founded around 1190 and is a type of romanesque country church. During the centuries it was rebuilt and restored several times. For instance, the powerful western tower was expanded and was completed 1863 to receive the church bells which were located in the outside belfry before.
The frescoes in the apse are from the beginning of the 13th century, so is the baptismal font made of granite. The runestone which is located in the church porch was originally a part of a stone chest, also from the 13th century. The inscription on it is christian though, “Into your hands, Lord, I commit your spirit, Åse.”
In the 15th century the church got its first church bell and towards the end of the century the master from Everlöv made the artwork in the choir and nave. The frescoes were sponsored by the two danish nobels Knud Skielmsen Gere and Axel Lavesson who lived in Jylland but owned farms in Hästveda. During the 17th century the frescoes were chalked over, but could be restored again during the 1940s.
Both of the church bells are recast, but the smaller bell, which was bought from Råbelöv in the beginning of the 19th and had at that time the russian inscript: “Year 1684 this bell was cast for the resurrection of Christ.”
This means that it was most likely a war capture, presumably from Riga.
The current pulpit is from 1598, the chandeliers and baptismal basin are most likely from the 17th century, the altarpiece and baluster for the organ loft are from the 18th century.