Sankt Botvids kyrka

Sankt Botvids Kyrka is a brutalist concrete church in the centre of Oxelösund. The church was deliberately designed to resemble a navigation beacon, and at 57m tall with a golden cross on top it is visible from the land, the sea, and the air. From the outside the church is stark and angular with the raw concrete panels giving it an industrial feel. The interior has a completely different feel. Natural light floods in through large stained glass windows filling the space with warm colour depicting the life of Saint Botvid, the patron saint of the east coast. Behind the stone altar there is a carved wooden relief called "Ship of Life" by sculptor Åke Jönsson. The soaring concrete bell tower houses a carillon of 24 bells that plays a hymn numerous times a day. All working together to make photographing the inside a completely different experience than working with the outside. The church is open daily but closes for booked events, so check before visiting. (Oxelösund, Södermanland, Sweden)