Medieval Tones

The chimes of church bells became a concrete marker of the switch from the Norse beliefs of the Vikings to Christianity. The church bells, described as “God’s trumpets”, could be heard at least 10 kilometers away. The first Catholic missionaries in the 9th century brought bells with them. The medieval bells in the exhibition all have exciting tales to tell.

It was also in the Middle Ages that the sound of the organ came to Swedish churches. Two of the world’s oldest organs can be seen here. They are missing important parts such as pipes and bellows. However, the remains tell us how the early, medieval organs were built and worked. They also give us an idea of what the churches of the time might have sounded like.

You will find the exhibition Medieval Tones on the first floor.