Kinne-Kleva kyrka
Kinnekulle

History of the Church Site

Around 1850, discussions began about merging the two parishes into a single church. The new shared church was completed in 1870 and constructed in Romanesque style using sandstone, with a semicircular sacristy. To finance the project, permission was granted to collect offerings from across the entire country.

The medieval Kinne-Kleva Church ruin lies on a small hill approximately 750 metres north of the present church, offering wide views over the surrounding landscape. It was originally built in the 12th century as a rectangular nave with a straight-ended chancel. In the 18th century, it was expanded with a sacristy, porch, and tower with an octagonal spire and clock.

The church was built of sandstone, but structural problems developed as the southern wall began to bulge outward, requiring external buttresses, traces of which still remain. The interior featured whitewashed walls, a shingled roof, and painted decorative window frames. The floor was paved with limestone slabs.

The medieval church was demolished in 1870 when the new Kinne-Kleva Church was constructed together with the parish of Sils. Bells, a baptismal font, crucifixes, sculptures, and communion vessels were transferred to the new church.

On the churchyard remain several gravestones, including two 12th-century slab crosses and fragments of lily stones from the 13th century. Many of these stones were later moved to the grounds of the new church, where additional lily stones can still be seen today.

A commemorative poem from the late 18th century describes how the church tower rose above the village, and how the sound of the bells reached every household in the parish.

During the 1970 centenary, new bell towers were erected at both the former Kinne-Kleva and Sils church sites.

Ancient Landscape and Legends

Just north of the site rises the striking red sandstone cliff known as Rödstenskleven. The location is believed to have been an important place of worship in pre-Christian times, and archaeological findings suggest that an earlier wooden structure may once have stood here, possibly resembling Norwegian stave churches.

Local tradition speaks of “when Kleva was a town,” complete with night watchmen patrolling its streets. Near the former church site, a place known as Kleva Market Square is said to have existed, where a ceremonial pole may once have stood. A stone slab with a central hole remains as a trace of this tradition.

Historical sources suggest that Kleva once had a relatively large settlement for its time and may have been one of the most important centres in the region during the early medieval period, before Husaby later assumed that role around the 11th century.

It is believed that as Christianity spread, earlier pagan sites may have been replaced by churches built on the same locations. Similar patterns have been observed at several sites in the region, including Österplana and Forshem.

Local legends also describe ancient ritual sites, defensive structures, and sacred springs in the wider landscape, as well as waterfalls such as Prästafallet, Brattefors, and Martorpsfallet, which form part of a historically rich cultural environment.

Sils Old Church Site

The former Sils Church was located near Silboholm Manor, approximately 3 kilometres southeast of Kinne-Kleva Church. Sils and Kinne-Kleva formed a joint parish until 1929, when they were merged into Husaby parish.

The medieval church was demolished in 1872. It was built of sandstone and consisted of a nave with a narrower, straight-ended chancel, a southern porch, and a small western tower crowned with a high spire and weather vane. At the time of demolition, the church was whitewashed and had a shingled roof.

Inside the chancel, a painted figure of Saint Peter holding a key was preserved on the north wall, believed to date from the Catholic period.

Much of the stone from the church was reused in local buildings, including at Lövholmen farm. Today, nothing remains of the original structure, but a wooden bell tower has been erected on the site in memory of the church.

Church Guide

The Church Guide app provides additional information about the churches in the region and can also be used as a guide during your visit. Download it here.

Getting Here by Public Transport

By Bus (Västtrafik)

You can reach Kinne-Kleva Church by taking Västtrafik bus route 116 between Lidköping, Husaby, and Götene. Get off at Kinne-Kleva Church stop.

For timetables and journey planning, visit the Västtrafik website or use the Västtrafik To Go app.