St. Nicolas in Visby goes Kultudral

Can the cooperation between society, culture and commerce be a successful way to animatethecultural heritage, making it a resource in regional development without destroying the cultural values?

Together with another 11 medieval church-ruins and the medieval townwall, St. Nicolas ruin forms a very special townscape, unique for Visby. In the Medieval Age, St. Nicolas was the church of the Dominican order. North of the church, the monastery buildings were adjoined to the church. Now the former church is to be transformed into an innovative cultural arena - with the ruins in focus. The project St. Nicolas Kultudral is managed by the Gotland Museum in its first phases. When construction starts in 2011 Kultudralen AB will take over the leadership.

St. Nicolas medieval Churchruin in Visby with the new vault.
Photomontage by Exners Tegnestue A/S

The project aims at creating an innovative and magical cultural arena within the authentic walls of the medieval ruins. The St. Nicolas Kultudral is an entirely innovative mode of convergence between various branches of art and activities, culture and commerce, between Gotland and the rest of the world. Close cooperation lies at the core of the concept: in partnership they give each other support, creating new development opportunities.The funding for the project consists of regional, state and EG funds in combination with private funding from companies and individuals.

The monumental limestone walls of the ruin, the magic light, the excellent acoustics and the bewitching atmosphere of the place live on. The contribution of our era will be an excellent stage-artistically and aesthetically. A new vault, complete with glass star-shaped prisms is envisaged. The service area will be housed in an adjoining building, an innovative design inspired by the Gotlandic building tradition. The architectonic formation is in the hands of one of Scandinavia's most highly merited architect's offices in the field of enhancement of cultural heritage and ruins -Exners Tegnestue A/S in Århus, Denmark.

The ruins create a peerless setting, open up for dimensions beyond the ego, time and space both for artists and guests. The Kultudral will enrich every event whatever the season. The opening of St Nicolas Cultudral is planned to happen in May 2013.