Information
Landmark: Round Church (Rundkirke)City: Bornholm
Country: Denmark
Continent: Europe
Round Church (Rundkirke), Bornholm, Denmark, Europe
Overview
Bornholm’s Round Churches, or Rundkirker, stand out as rare treasures-only four still rise on the island, their white walls catching the Baltic light, in turn built in the 12th and 13th centuries, these sturdy stone churches stand among Denmark’s most iconic fortifications, their thick walls still holding the chill of the North Sea wind.Funny enough, They doubled as places of worship and sturdy fortresses, where prayers rose inside thick stone walls during troubled times, while scattered across Bornholm, the four round churches-Østerlars, Nyker, Nylars, and Olsker-blend faith with fortification.Østerlars, near the village of the same name in east-central Bornholm, is the largest and most famous, its three levels once sheltering defenders behind arrow slits and thick stone walls, at the same time a massive central pillar rises to the roof, where 14th‑century frescoes still show vivid Biblical scenes.Built around 1150 in Romanesque style, it was later adapted for greater utility, along with nyker, northwest of Rønne, is the smallest: a simpler, peaceful space with 13th‑century frescoes and a modest interior, also built around 1150 as a community church, partially Nylars, southwest of Rønne, holds some of the island’s best‑preserved artwork, including a creation scene beneath its cone‑shaped roof, on top of that raised around 1160, it has a smaller defensive floor than Østerlars but the same sense of quiet strength.As it happens, Farther north, Olsker stands tallest, its white walls tapering upward like a beacon, likewise dating from about 1150, it guarded both souls and shores, and though renovated over centuries, it keeps its original form.All four share a Romanesque build-thick stone walls, tight circular plans, few windows-and an ingenious dual purpose: upper levels once stored supplies and sheltered fighters against pirates like the Wends, while central pillars in Østerlars and Nylars anchored both the structure and the faith it embodied, moreover they depict scenes from the Bible, portraits of saints, and rich layers of religious symbolism.It seems, The circular shape, like an unbroken gold ring, can stand for eternity or a shared faith, meanwhile the round churches echo European traditions of circular chapels tied to the Knights Templar, though historians can’t confirm this link for Bornholm; you can reach them easily by car or bike, with parking shaded by tall beeches, or take public buses from the island’s main towns.Summer, from June to August, brings warm weather and lively cultural events inside these stone walls, likewise most ask a modest entry fee that helps preserve them, and guided tours reveal layers of history, architecture, and art.Somehow, Near Østerlars Church, you’ll find the Bornholm Art Museum and the dramatic Helligdomsklipperne cliffs, while scenic cycling routes weave past meadows and farms toward other chapels, not only that to dig deeper into their medieval role, stop by Bornholm’s History Museum-these churches are rare blends of faith, artistry, and fortress-like strength, under certain circumstances They’ve become lasting symbols of the island’s resilience and rich culture, guiding visitors on an inspiring journey through Denmark’s medieval past-where the echo of church bells still lingers in the air.
