Beyond its picturesque facade, Nylars Church holds stories of faith and resilience. The Nylars Church is located in the village of Nylars near Rønne. It stands as Bornholm’s second-largest round church.
Let’s step back in time to the 12th century. Construction began around 1165. The Nylars Church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. Back then, Nicholas was called Nilaus in old Danish. Over time, Nilaus evolved into the Nylars we know today.
Imagine Bornholm in a time of unrest. The island was often left to fend for itself. The Nylars Church was built as a fortress. It provided refuge from pirates. These pirates sailed from Gotland and Wend during the church’s construction around 1165. They made the Baltic Sea unsafe. The church had a crenelated wall around its third story.
Look closely at the church’s design. The three-story circular structure has walls two meters thick. This solid construction served a purpose. It was not just for worship. It was for defense. Originally, the Nylars Church had two doors. One was for men and one for women. The northern women’s door was bricked up in 1973. The small window in the northwest corner is original. It is the only Romanesque window in Bornholm’s round churches.
Consider the bell tower. Its lower section once served as an entrance gate. The belfry is a later addition made of half-timber. Two bells hang within. The smaller bell dates back to 1702. It bears the stamp of King Frederik IV. The larger bell was cast on Bornholm in 1882.
Inside, a ring vault covers the nave. It is supported by a central pillar of limestone. The apse features a half-domed vault. Five holes in the shape of a cross decorate the vault. These holes once held clay pots. These pots were designed to improve the acoustics. Poul Høm decorated the gallery and pulpit in 1973. His tones reflect the church’s frescos.
In 1882, something remarkable happened. Whitewash was removed from the interior. A 13th-century fresco frieze was revealed. It circles the top of the central pillar. These are Bornholm’s oldest frescos. They depict scenes from Creation and the Last Judgment.
The chancel was not used for defense like in Østerlars. The church font is from the late Romanesque period. It is sculpted in Gotland limestone. The baptismal bowl dates to around 1575. It originated in southern Germany.
Notice the stained-glass window in the apse. Poul Høm created it. It represents the resurrection. A seed develops into a plant. The carpet before the altar is titled Water of Life. Anne-Lise Kofoed-Hansen created it in 1990.
The frescos tell a story. They depict Adam’s creation and Eve’s creation. The Tree of Knowledge is shown as well as the Fall. God rebukes Adam and Eve. Finally, we see their banishment.
Today, Nylars Church stands as a testament to Bornholm’s history. Its defensive design and beautiful frescos offer a glimpse into the past. It is a place where faith and resilience meet. Take a moment to appreciate the unique beauty and rich history of Nylars Church.