Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum

About the museum

The museum is housed in the palace of the Bjälbo family, built in the 1260s by the royal kin of Birger jarl and counted as the best-preserved high medieval palace in the Nordic countries. It was a house for royal representation and one of Sweden's first brick buildings, with windows, gallery walks and a hypocaust. King Magnus Eriksson and Queen Blanka bequeathed the estate in 1346 to become a monastery, and after the pope's confirmation in 1370 it became the mother house of Birgitta's new monastic order.

The last nuns left the monastery in 1595. The area then became a home for invalid soldiers from the wars of the Age of Greatness (stormaktstiden), the first permanent veterans' housing in Europe. For a short time the house was used as a lighter prison, and in the 1820s it became part of Vadstena hospital for the mentally ill. The last patients moved out in the 1950s, and during the renovation the different phases of the house were revealed bit by bit.

Today Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum is run by Östergötlands museum. The exhibitions deal with the life and influence of St Birgitta, the history of the building from royal palace to hospital, and monastic life. Visitors can see the nuns' dormitory and the coffin in which Birgitta's remains were carried across Europe.

Highlights

• The nuns' dormitory (Dormitoriet) and the Kapitelsalen (chapter house)
• Birgitta's prayer chamber with the coffin in which her remains were carried
• The exhibition on St Birgitta
• The Bjälbo family's royal palace from the 1260s
• Tidens rum (Time's Room) – Vadstena Abbey Church in 1470

Permanent exhibitions

• Heliga Birgitta – Exhibition on the life of Birgitta Birgersdotter in the 1300s, her revelations and her influence in Vadstena, Sweden and the world.
• Bjälboättens palats – vår museibyggnad – The story of the building as a royal palace in the 1260s, a monastery, a home for soldiers and a hospital, with remains and finds from the early Middle Ages.
• Tidens rum – Vadstena klosterkyrka 1470 – Visualisation on the second floor where visitors meet Sister Ingeborg, the priest Magnus and the pilgrim Kristina in the abbey church as it may have looked in 1470.

Operated by

Östergötlands museum

Admission & discounts

Members of the friends' association Birgittastiftelsen have free admission. The Kulturarvskortet (Cultural Heritage Card) gives half-price admission, and the fee for the regular guided tour is payable in addition. With discounted admission, SEK 50 is paid for the guided tour. Group tours for adults (60 minutes, up to 30 people) cost SEK 1,650–4,900, depending on group size and day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There are ramps at the entrance and into the Kapitelsalen on the ground floor, and the shop and reception are on the ground floor. Access to the upper floor is limited, as the museum has no lift. The museum's own toilets are on the upper floor, but an accessible toilet is in a building next door. Some guided tours are more accessible than others, so ask when booking.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The family tour Medeltidsresan (about 35 minutes, for children aged 6–12 with an adult) is given in summer. In the Klädkammaren (costume room) children can try on medieval clothes, and the Lilla pilgrimsturen (Little Pilgrim's Walk) on the monastery grounds gives a stamp in the Lilla pilgrimspasset (little pilgrim's passport). Activities are arranged during the sports, Easter and autumn holidays.

Getting there & parking

From Motala and Ödeshög take road 919, from Mjölby and Skänninge road 206. Turn into Skänningegatan at Vadstena fire station and follow the signs to the monastery grounds.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop next to the reception with ceramics, gifts, jewellery made as copies of archaeological finds, books and Birgitta mugs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

The Kapitelsalen (around 30–40 people) can be hired for weddings and christenings, the Dormitoriet (up to 100 seated) for lectures and concerts outside opening hours, and Prins Eugens rum (about 12 people) for meetings. The Dormitoriet has no lift.

Plan your visit