Alvastra Abbey (Alvastra klosterruin) was a Cistercian monastery located at Alvastra in Östergötland, Sweden. History Alvastra monastery was founded in 1143 by French monks who belonged to the Cistercian Order. A number of monks and lay brothers left the French monastery of Clairvaux Abbey. It was founded at Alvastra in Västra Tollstad parish in Ödeshög municipality on the site of the donation of land from King Sverker I of Sweden. The monastery church was inaugurated in 1185. For nearly 400 years Alvastra monastery prospered. Varnhem Abbey (Varnhems kloster) at Varnhem in Västergötland was founded around 1150 by monks of the Cistercian Order from Alvastra Abbey. Stefan, Archbishop of Uppsala (Stephanus) was a Cistercian monk from Alvastra monastery. Alvastra monastery was dissolved and appropriated by the Crown at the time of the Protestant Reformation in accordance with the Reduction of Gustav I of Sweden. Gallery References Cistercian monasteries in Sweden 12th-century establishments in Sweden Christian monasteries established in the 12th century 1143 establishments in Europe Medieval Sweden Monasteries dissolved under the Swedish Reformation Ruins in Sweden