Have you ever seen a church that looks like a giant, round fortress? Ny Kirke, the New Church, is one of those fascinating and historic round churches found on the Danish island of Bornholm. It’s the smallest of the four round churches on the island, and you can feel its history as you stand in front of its sturdy stone walls.
You can imagine Viking raiders approaching, with their fearsome faces and gleaming axes, but they could not easily storm this building. Ny Kirke was built in the 12th century, and, like the other round churches on the island, it was part of the island’s unique defense system. The round design allowed the villagers to defend themselves against attacks by hiding inside the church. While the villagers prayed inside, they could also use the church’s thick walls to their advantage and defend themselves from enemies.
This clever defense system would have been much needed, as Bornholm suffered many invasions throughout its history. The church was originally called Ecclesia Omnium Sanctorum, meaning All Saints Church, but by the 16th century, the name was changed to Ny Kirke, reflecting its status as a new and vital part of the island’s history. The church continues to be a sacred place where the island’s history is preserved. But it’s not just about the past. Today, Ny Kirke is a place for quiet moments of reflection, an anchor of faith for the local community, and a reminder of the island’s resilient past.