Brännkyrka can be translated as “Burn church”, and it is called so for a reason. The church was built in the 12th century and originally called Vantör. Since then it had burnt down and got rebuilt several times, which eventually led to a new name acquired sometime in the early 15th century. Ironically, the fires continued. Danish troops burned the church to the ground in 1452 and at the Battle of Brännkyrka in 1518.
Brännkyrka Church is said to be the second oldest building in Stockholm. During eight centuries it has seen both battles and kings come and go. It lies with its tower and high chancel along Götalandsvägen, the historic route southwards from Stockholm. Just south of the churchyard there used to be a lake, Kyrksjön, which was drained during the 20th century when Stockholm expanded. Once Brännkyrka Church and its parish covered most of the then rural areas south of the city, but today it is one of many suburban places of worship.
Two deceased kings passed Brännkyrka Church on their way to their final rest in Stockholm in the 17th century: Gustav II Adolf, and some decades later his nephew Karl X Gustav. In 1723 a thunderstorm resulted in what is hopefully the last fire to destroy Brännkyrka Church.
