Thorsager Round Church on Djursland
Thorsager Round Church is one of Denmark's seven medieval round churches and the only one in Jutland. Djursland has many historical attractions, and one of its gems is the round church in Thorsager.
At ‘Thors Ager’, Jutland's only round church was built on a site where sacrifices may previously have been made to the god Thor. The round church was built around 1200. In 1231, Thorsager was registered as crown property, and it is therefore likely that the king was the builder of this distinctive and monumental church.
Thorsager Round Church differs significantly from the traditional Romanesque village church. It is one of Denmark's seven medieval round churches and the only one in Jutland. Together with Horne Church on West Funen and Bjernede Church on Zealand, Thorsager Round Church forms a group often referred to as the Absalon round churches or the Zealand type. They are known for their four columns, unlike the Bornholm round churches, which have a single supporting column in the middle of the room.
Architecture across the ages
The round church is one of Jutland's oldest brick buildings – perhaps the oldest. The apse, chancel and round nave date from the Romanesque period, while the porch and the lower part of a now demolished west tower date from the late Middle Ages. Major restorations took place in 1877-78 and in 1950-52.
The white church interior with vaults and four sturdy red brick pillars is considered by many to be one of Denmark's most beautiful and definitely worth a visit.