Katarina Church

Katarina Church showing a church or cathedral, religious aspects and heritage architecture
Choose two or more items and save on your trip:
Gaze at the architecture of this lovely Baroque-style church and listen to an organ performance in its beautiful interior.

Katarina Church is among Stockholm’s most important churches. Also known by its Swedish name, Katarina Kyrka, the church’s profile can be seen prominently on the city’s skyline from many areas as a result of its elevated location on the island of Södermalm. View its painstakingly reconstructed exterior and head inside to see an organ performance.

See the facade of the church, which features bright yellow walls, a graceful dome and a bell tower decorated with a gold cross. The church is named for Princess Katarina, half-sister of King Gustav II Adolf and the mother of King Karl X Gustav. It was originally built in the late 17th century, although various sacred buildings had existed on this site for centuries before this. The site of several devastating fires over the years, some locals believe the church is cursed because it stands on the graves of victims of a 16th-century massacre. The current building dates from the 1990s.

Inside, the walls are white and sunlight streams through the huge windows. Brass chandeliers and candle holders hang from the church’s domed ceiling, enhancing the glow. Notice the striking altarpiece, which features golden columns leading up to an enormous sun.

Look for the church’s grand organ, decorated with delicately carved wood. Come around lunchtime on Tuesdays or Thursdays to hear the organ’s full sound in a 20-minute concert or see a performance by one of the church’s five choirs.

In the cemetery beside the church, see the graves of several prominent Swedes, including artists and politicians. Look for the grave of foreign minister Anna Lindh, who was assassinated in 2003. Author Per Anders Fogelström and 18th-century architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz are among the other notable locals buried here. The stairs leading from the cemetery to the southern entrance feature an ornate railing and carvings in tribute to King Karl XII.

Find Katarina Church in Högbergsgatan, southeast of Gamla Stan on Södermalm. It’s accessible by metro. The church is open daily and admission is free.

No trip to Stockholm is complete without a visit to this historic landmark.

Hotel Hasselbacken
Nordic Light Hotel
Hotel C Stockholm
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 3 activitiesOpens in new tab

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm Central
Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm Central
3 out of 5
Kungsbron 1, Stockholm
Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm Central
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
4 out of 5
Ringvaegen 98, Stockholm
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Hobo Hotel Stockholm
Hobo Hotel Stockholm
3.5 out of 5
Brunkebergstorg 4, Stockholm, Stockholms Laen
Hobo Hotel Stockholm
Haymarket by Scandic
Haymarket by Scandic
4 out of 5
Hötorget 13-15, Stockholm
Haymarket by Scandic
Downtown Camper by Scandic
Downtown Camper by Scandic
4 out of 5
Brunkebergstorg 9, Stockholm
Downtown Camper by Scandic
Clarion Hotel Sign
Clarion Hotel Sign
4 out of 5
Östra Järnvägsgatan 35, Stockholm
Clarion Hotel Sign
Castle House Inn
Castle House Inn
2.5 out of 5
Brunnsgränd 4, Stockholm
Castle House Inn
Scandic Continental
Scandic Continental
4 out of 5
Vasagatan 22, Stockholm
Scandic Continental
Clarion Hotel Amaranten
Clarion Hotel Amaranten
4 out of 5
Kungsholmsgatan 31, Stockholm
Clarion Hotel Amaranten
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.