Ivetofta Church was probably built in the 12th century, the tower (built in stone and decorated with carved sandstone) on the western side being added in the 13th century. The altar, pulpit, pews and the baptismal font were donated by Sophia Brahe in the early 17th century, who had moved to the area with her second husband and was known for her work in Danish genealogy. These features have been retained in the renovated church. Brahe had planned on being buried there but returned to her native Denmark, settling in Helsingør before she died. Her planned headstone is on display at Ivetofta church.
Major extensions were completed in 1850s in order to accommodate a growing population in the town. The old nave and chancel were demolished and a wider church room with cross arms and a three sided chancel were built by the architect C. G. Brunius. The nave was extended to form two arms of the cross. Major external renovation work was carried out in 2012, which retained features added by Brahe. The porch has the flooring that was removed from the coal cellar of the old church.
References:The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.