The buildings surrounding the hilltop on Katarina-berget date partly from the eighteenth century, although there have been churches on the site since the late fourteenth century. The most impressive of all the buildings is the seventeenth century Katarina Kyrka, designed by one of the era’s greatest architects, Jean de la Vallee. King Karl X Gustaf was also deeply involved in the project, and specified that the church should have a central nave with the alter and pulpit positioned right in the middle.

Major restoration was carried out in the twentieth century, and a new copper roof was added in 1988. then two years later, on the night of 16 May 1990, there was another fire and the interior and virtually all its fittings were destroyed. Only the outer walls survived.

The architectural practice of Ove Hidemark was commissioned to design a new church which, as far as possible, was to be a faithful reconstruction of the original.

In 1995, Katarina Kyrka was deconsecrated and, in the eyes of many people, looked more beautiful than ever. The altar was sited exactly where it was originally planned.