Thorsager Church

Rønde, Denmark

Thorsager round church is the only one of its kind in Jutland (and one of Denmark's seven medieval round churches). It was built of brick around 1200 and is one of Jutland's oldest brick buildings - perhaps the oldest. Its thick walls (1m) are an indication of the defensive role it played.

The church may lie on the site of a pre-Christian sacrificial place for the god Thor. The size of the church and its architecture suggeste that is was built by an important man - probably the king. During restoration work in 1877-78 most of the church's outer walls were replaced with new bricks. Original bricks can still be seen in the north wall of the choir. During the last restoration in 1950-52 the beautiful church interior was restored with amongst other things a new altar and pulpit. There is access to the upper floor by a staircase within the door of the church.

Address

Kirkevej 10, Rønde, Denmark

See all sites in Rønde

Details

Founded: c. 1200
Category: Religious sites in Denmark
Historical period: The First Kingdom (Denmark)

More Information

www.visitdjursland.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Kalø Castle Ruins (7,5 km)

Viking Museum (25,9 km)
Aarhus Old Town (26,3 km)
Aarhus Cathedral (25,8 km)
Aarhus Theatre (25,8 km)
Church of Our Lady (25,9 km)
Moesgård Museum (31,9 km)
St. Morten’s Church (29,3 km)
Marselisborg Palace (28,7 km)
Gammel Estrup Manor (12,8 km)

User Reviews

Niklas de Fries (3 years ago)
It is always exciting to see the Danish circular churches - and Thorsager Round Church is no exception. Go in and have a look and stroll around the cemetery, which is very well kept. ( .. and even the parking lot is round!)

Elisabeth Nørnberg (3 years ago)
Jutland's only round church. It's super nice and sits beautifully in the countryside, stop by if you're nearby :)

Garrett Fagnou (3 years ago)
A very special round church with a beautiful graveyard around. The acoustics are quite nice inside.

Inge Andersen (3 years ago)
Interesting round church, worth a visit

Marianne Mondrup Simonsen (3 years ago)
Really nice and cozy

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Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.