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Særløse Church, in the heart of the Zealand countryside
Særløse Church, in the heart of the Zealand countryside
Særløsevej 2
4330 Hvalsø
Phone: 46 40 95 01
Photo: Olav Sejerø
Photo: Sarah Green
Photo: Sarah Green
Særløse Church is centrally located in the village, yet it feels almost elevated above its surroundings. The oldest parts date back to the 12th century, while the tower was added later. Over the centuries, the church has been extended and adapted, and today it appears as a harmonious meeting between Romanesque solidity and Gothic lightness.
Legends and stories
According to an old legend, the church was built on a former pagan sacrificial site – as was often the case in the early days of Christianity. Another tale tells of two sisters who each built a church in Særløse and Kisserup respectively as part of a fierce wager. The story is colourful and dramatic and adds a touch of local folk tradition to the site.
Medieval traces in the walls
The church’s nave walls date from the Romanesque period and are constructed of rough fieldstones. Later, the church was heightened and extended eastwards, and the present vaulted ceilings replaced the original flat timber ceiling. The porch – unusually positioned on the north side – and the tower were built around the year 1500.
In the tower room, you can experience a distinctive atmosphere. Here, consecration crosses from the church’s dedication have been discovered, and beneath the floor rest remains of burials from earlier times. The bell chamber is described as one of the most atmospheric in Zealand, where centuries seem to have settled into the timberwork and brick.
Furnishings with history
Inside, the church contains furnishings from several periods. The granite font is executed in Romanesque style and may be older than the church itself. The 17th-century altarpiece is richly carved and painted, with the Last Supper as its central motif, flanked by biblical figures.
The pulpit dates from around 1600 and is adorned with the Evangelists and their symbols. In the nave floor lie older gravestones, including those of royal foresters and their families – a testament to the area’s close connection to the surrounding forests.
The organ, built in the late 20th century, unites the space with its sound and connects past and present.
The churchyard and the view
In the churchyard, you will find, among other things, two prominent gravestones of royal foresters. From here, you can enjoy views across the rolling countryside, which forms an essential part of the experience of Særløse Church. Its location on a hill makes the visit both atmospheric and sensory.
Tip
Combine your visit with a trip to Avnsø and the Bidstrup Forests. Avnsø is one of Zealand’s cleanest lakes and is surrounded by undulating woodland with paths, smaller lakes and open meadows. Here you can enjoy a walk in varied terrain, take a break by the water or experience the rich wildlife and plant life of the area.
