Kalmar Cathedral is in the city of Kalmar in Småland in southeast Sweden, situated on the Baltic Sea.

The new city of Kalmar was built on Kvarnholmen island in the mid-17th century. The transfer from the old town was largely completed by 1658. The new, fortified town was planned along Renaissance ideals. Accordingly, the church and town hall were constructed across from one another in Stortorget Kalmar, the old town square. The cathedral was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and is one of the foremost examples of classical barroque architecture that was a breakthrough in Sweden. The diesgn of Kalmar Cathedral reflects the complexities of modernisation, maintaining liturgical utility and tradition, and being mindful of the fortress-city requirements. Construction began in 1660, but was interrupted on several occasions, including with the outbreak of the Scanian War (1675–1679). The work resumed after the war and Kalmar Cathedral was finally finished in 1703.