Bjälbo


Bjälbo is a small village in Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland, Sweden.
The medieval House of Bjelbo had a church and a manor house at Bjälbo. King Magnus Minnesköld was probably born here, and in around 1210 his son Birger Magnusson.
Today the church tower is preserved. The church was probably built in the first half of the twelfth century, reflecting new techniques brought by Cistercian monks from France in 1143. The surviving tower was probably added around 1220. Both structures are thought to have been projects of Ingrid Ylva, mother of Birger Jarl.
In 1173, King Kol Sverkerson was killed in a battle at Bjälbo.