The Adolf Friedrich Church (Adolf Fredriks kyrka) in the Norrmalm district, inaugurated in 1774, is one of Stockholm's most famous churches. It owes its name to the Swedish King Adolf Friedrich from Schleswig, who personally laid the foundation stone here in 1768. The church is not only famous for its architecture and interior design, but also for its cemetery, where many famous people are buried.
Adolf Fredriks kyrka
Cross-shaped ground plan
The church was designed by the architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, one of the most famous Swedish architects in the 18th century (he also designed, for example, the Chinese castle in the park of Drottningholm Palace). Stylistically, Adelcrantz was oriented towards the Louis-seize style, which originated in France, a transition from Rococo to Classicism (also referred to as Gustavian style in its Swedish character). The symmetrical ground plan of the church in the shape of a Greek cross is striking, with a tower-like dome sitting at its centre.
Altar and memorial plaque by Johan Tobias Sergel
If you visit the church, you should definitely take a look at the altar designed by Johan Tobias Sergel (1740 - 1814). Sergel is considered as one of the most important sculptors of Sweden , after whom also the central square of Stockholm Sergels Torg is named. By the way, Sergel also has German roots, his parents were an artist couple from Jena. He is buried in the cemetery of the Adolf Friedrich Church. Also by Johan Tobias Sergel is the monument in memory of the famous French philosopher René Descartes (1596 - 1650) in the interior of the church.
Descartes in Stockholm
Descartes, who came to Stockholm in 1649 at the invitation of the still young Queen Christina, died of pneumonia after only a few months in the cold Stockholm winter. As a Catholic in Protestant Sweden, he was buried in that remote cemetery that later became the Adolf Frederick Church Cemetery. However, his bones were transferred to France only 16 years later and are today, after several reburials, in the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris.
Cemetery with the graves of famous people
René Descartes and Johan Tobias Sergel are not the only celebrities buried in the cemetery of the Adolf Friedrich Church. The graves of the two Swedish prime ministers Olof Palme and Hjalmar Branting are also located here.
