Sankt Pouls Kirke

Is it possible for a church to whisper its secrets? Sankt Pouls Kirke, perched on a hilltop in southeastern Bornholm, seems to do just that. Unlike other churches on this charming island, Sankt Pouls Kirke stands apart, its silhouette missing the familiar spire that pierces the sky. This church, you see, was built in the 13th century, a time when the Romanesque style held sway. Now, picture this: It’s 1871, and the church is deemed too small. Instead of a grand redesign, a simple yet ingenious solution is chosen – the nave, the heart of the church, is extended westward. This unusual history is just the tip of the steeple, so to speak, when it comes to Sankt Pouls Kirke. Look closely at the south portal, where the tympanum, that space above the doorway, bears witness to a time gone by. An enigmatic heraldic lily, a symbol shrouded in history, stares back at you. But it’s the eastern frame that truly captivates. There, etched into the stone, is the image of a man forever frozen in time, his gaze fixed upon a peculiar detail below – a chessboard. This is no ordinary chessboard. It’s different from those found in North Jutland or even as far as Brandenburg. This chessboard at Sankt Pouls Kirke, with its precise 8×8 grid and a secret hiding beneath, a backgammon board, whispers of a forgotten tale, inviting you to unravel its mysteries. Within those walls, beneath its Romanesque arches, Sankt Pouls Kirke holds more secrets. Vibrant frescoes, some dating back to the 1400s, others painted after the Reformation, whisper tales from a distant past. You can almost hear the echoes of lives lived and stories told within the very walls of Sankt Pouls Kirke.