Vestermarie

Nestled between Rønne and Aakirkeby lies the charming village of Vestermarie. Vestermarie is a quiet haven. It offers a glimpse into a simpler time. Imagine stepping back in time to 1335. This was the year the original Vestermarie Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, first opened its doors. The name “Vestermarie” itself holds a clue to its past. “Vester” means west, distinguishing it from its easterly counterpart, Østermarie. The current church building, however, tells a different story. This neo-Romanesque structure, completed in 1885, replaced the medieval church. But remnants of the past still linger. Step into the churchyard. Here you’ll discover a collection of runestones, whispering tales of a time long gone. Vestermarie is more than just a historical landmark. It is a living, breathing community. In 2024, 235 souls called this village home. While many residents work in nearby Rønne, Vestermarie retains its own unique charm. A school built in 1964 serves as a hub for the community’s younger generation. A local food store caters to daily needs, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency. And at the heart of Vestermarie stands the community hall, a testament to the village’s enduring spirit. Vestermarie’s history stretches back even further than the church. Venture just north of the village to Bjergebakken. Here, a striking group of menhirs stands in silent testament to prehistoric times. These ancient stones hold secrets of a civilization lost to time. The nearby grave site on Store Bjergegardsbakken offers more clues. Excavated in the 1890s, the site revealed burnt bones, fibulae, a sword, beads, iron keys, and small pots. These artifacts date back to the end of the Iron Age, around 500-400 BC. Vestermarie is a place where the past and present intertwine. It is a village that whispers stories of ancient rituals, medieval devotion, and modern community.