Varnhem
Varnhem is a locality situated in Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 707 inhabitants in 2010. The location of the oldest known stone church in Sweden outside of Scania (which is attributed to Dalby Church), erected in the 1040s at the latest. It is also the location of a Christian cemetery which was in use during the end of the ninth century.
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Documentary summary
Varnhem is a locality situated in Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 707 inhabitants in 2010. The location of the oldest known stone church in Sweden outside of Scania (which is attributed to Dalby Church), erected in the 1040s at the latest. It is also the location of a Christian cemetery which was in use during the end of the ninth century.
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Overview
Overview
The Cistercian Order established Varnhem Abbey around 1150, not far from the old church. A new abbey church was erected to replace the older church; the abbey church is still in use.
Key facts
Key facts
• Official Name — Varnhem • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Sweden • Subdivision Type3 — Municipality • Subdivision Name3 — Skara Municipality • Subdivision Type2 — County • Subdivision Name2 — Västra Götaland County • Subdivision Type1 — Province • Subdivision Name1 — Västergötland • Area Total Km2 — 0.80 • Population As Of — 31 December 2010 • Population Total — 707 • Population Density Km2 — 889 • Time Zone — CET • Utc Offset — +1 • Time Zone Dst — CEST • Utc Offset Dst — +2 • Custom Label Sec1 — Climate • Custom Data Sec1 — Dfb
The Varnhem humerus
The Varnhem humerus
The Varnhem humerus was discovered in the cloister aisle in 1928. It is believed to date to between 1260 and 1527, and it is noteworthy because it shows evidence of healing after being repaired with a cylinder made of copper sheeting. It is an example of apparently successful advanced surgery carried out in the Middle Ages.
Notable people
Notable people
Notable people that were born or lived in Varnhem include the following: • Birger Jarl (c. 1210–1266), statesman, and his family, buried in Varnhem • Anders Dahl (1751–1789), botanist, born in Varnhem
Trivia
Trivia
Varnhem and in particular its abbey has received additional attention in recent years due to it being the main location of The Knight Templar trilogy written by Jan Guillou, and subsequently filmed. Arn Magnusson, the hero character of the series is portrayed as living there.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 27 September 2026.
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