S:ta Ingrids monastery ruin

Archaological site

St. Ingrid's convent was Sweden's first Dominican convent for women and was built in the 1270s on the initiative of the noblewoman Ingrid Elofsdotter.

Ingrid Elofsdotter belonged to the highest aristocracy of the realm at that time. As a widow, Ingrid became a member of the Dominican order. She was part of a circle of devout women around the Dominican Peter of Dacia, who was then a lecturer at St. Olof's convent in Skänninge. He wrote in a letter to Christina of Stommeln that he had 'six spiritual daughters' and that Ingrid was one of them. The plans to establish a monastery came from Ingrid's brothers, Johan and Andreas Elofsson. Johan Elofsson was a knight and related to Archbishop Folke in Uppsala. He was also the father-in-law of the lawman Birger Persson, the father of Saint Bridget in her first marriage.

Ingrid traveled to Rome to obtain the pope's permission to establish the monastery. She had inherited a noble estate with the associated church of St. Martin. In 1282, Magnus Ladulås issued a royal protection letter for the monastery. Ingrid died in the autumn of that same year. Initially, the monastery was called St. Martin's Monastery due to the already existing church of St. Martin in the area. The name was later changed to St. Ingrid's Monastery.

Saint Ingrid was never canonized and therefore never attained the status of a saint. However, the pope conceded that her remains could be enshrined, which took place in 1505 during great festivities. This is regarded as one of the last major celebrations of the Dominican order in Sweden before the Reformation.

Today, at the ruins of Saint Ingrid's convent, one can see a covered cellar, wall remnants, a well, the cloisters, and the church foundation. At the entrance, there is a model showing what the convent looked like in the 14th century.

The ruins of Saint Ingrid's convent are located in the northern part of Skänninge. You can reach it on foot from the center, crossing the Skena River and Motalagatan. Behind the block of houses is the convent. By car, the easiest way is to take Motalagatan and enter at the Preem gas station. Park by the information signs and walk up to the convent.