Reconstructions, extensions and renovations of St Lars Church in Linköping

Johansson, Evelina. 2018. Om- och tillbyggnationer samt renoveringar av Sankt Larskyrkan i Linköping Johansson, Evelina. 2018. Reconstructions, extensions and renovations of St Lars Church in Linköping St Lars Church is a white stone church located in central Linköping. In this thesis I will cover the processes behind the two most recent renovations of St Lars Church. The earlier of the two renovations was carried out in the 1950’s. The main purpose of this renovation was to literally prevent a total collapse of the church structure. Adding modern technology to the church was a priority at the most recent renovation in 2016, mainly in order to create an atmosphere which would make everyone feel welcome. I will also cover the media attention that these renovations attracted. The material used in this thesis includes available literature, archive material, and interviews of key individuals from the most recent renovation. I have also visited the church to study the most recent renovation and gain insight into the excavations that were part of the process. Historical records only describe the larger scaled renovations. This has led to a greater subjective valuation put into the decisions and discussions put forth during these processes. Individuals part of the historical renovations have consciously, or sub-consciously, been influenced by preceding historical ideas. Studying a historical period of time in the context of current influences lies at the hearth of the history of ideas, all the while understanding that absolute truths will never be discovered