Bjälbo

Bjälbo
small village
Bjälbo
Coordinates: 58°22′19.49″N 15°0′26.35″E / 58.3720806°N 15.0073194°E / 58.3720806; 15.0073194
CountrySweden
municipalityMjölby
countyÖstergötland
Area
  Land25 ha (62 acres)
Population
 (2012-12-31)
  Total
65
  Density257/km2 (670/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
590 21
Area code+46 142

Bjälbo is a small village in Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland, Sweden.

The medieval House of Bjälbo had a church and a manor house at Bjälbo. 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 (or pretender) Kol Sverkerson was killed in a battle at Bjälbo.