Engelbrekt Church - Östermalm’s Architectural Diamond

The Engelbrekt Church, a cherished landmark in Stockholm, is located on a hill overlooking beautiful Östermalm, a part of the city which generally is rich of well preserved nationalromantic buildings. The church is a notable example of early 20th-century architecture. Designed by the architect Lars Israël Wahlman (1870 - 1952) who was a board member in “Arts and Crafts”, an association for nationalromantic architects and artists. His vision was that the church should symbolise the Sermon of the Mount. The arches are 32 meters high (highest in Scandinavia), based on 8 pillars, each with one of the 8 beatitudes engraved. The church was built between 1910 and 1914 in a neo-Gothic style with art nouveau elements outside and inside. The outside is characterized by a red brick facade with elegant arches, and many colourful and asymmetrical details. The well know church painter Gustaf Olof Hjortzberg, who even decorated walls in Dramaten and other churches in Stockholm, created the altar- and wall paintings in fresco technique. The roof construction makes amazing accoustics and the church is a popular venue for classical concerts.