Alvastra

Alvastra Abbey was founded in 1143 in Östergötland by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux, on land given by King Sverker I. Its church was consecrated in 1185, and the community sent monks to found Varnhem Abbey in Västergötland. Several Swedish rulers were buried at Alvastra, including Sverker I and Sverker II. The monk Stefan went on to become archbishop of Uppsala. After nearly four centuries the monastery was dissolved at the Reformation, and its property was taken by the crown under Gustav I.