Nyker Round Church

In the village of Nyker, seven kilometres north-east of Rønne, stands the smallest of Bornholm's four round churches: Ny Kirke, built in the 12th or early 13th century and likely the youngest of the four. In medieval times it was known as "Ecclesia Omnium Sanctorum" – the Church of All Saints; today's name dates from the 16th century.

The little sister

With just two storeys instead of the usual three, Ny Kirke is the lowest of the island's round churches – and the least fortress-like in appearance. Whether its upper storey ever served a defensive purpose at all is debated among researchers; either way, it shows noticeably fewer defensive features than its sisters at Østerlars, Nylars and Olsker. It gained its conical roof in the 17th century, and its last major restoration followed in 1960.

Passion frieze and plague tablet

At the centre, a massive pillar around three metres in diameter carries the vaulting. Running around it is the church's great treasure: an early Gothic limewash-fresco frieze from around 1250 to 1300, with 13 scenes depicting the Passion of Christ – discovered in 1891, restored in 1937, and the best-told image cycle of any round church on Bornholm.

Unique to the church is the plague tablet (pesttavlen): it lists the dead of the 1618 and 1654 plague epidemics for every parish on Bornholm, topped by a figure of Death with the inscription "Pas du på mig, jeg sigter til dig" – "Watch out, I'm aiming at you". Also worth seeing are the carved pulpit by Flensburg master Hinrich Ringering from the early 17th century, the Romanesque font of Gotland stone, and a runestone bearing a medieval inscription.

Getting there and practicalities

• By car via Ellebyvej 1A in Nyker; free parking at the church.
• The regional bus towards Klemensker/Allinge stops in the village; general tips are covered in the Getting there guide.
• Photography inside is common practice – just be considerate during church services.

Is it worth a visit?

As a short stop, absolutely: 20 minutes is enough for the round nave, the Passion frieze and the plague tablet, and admission is free. All four round churches can be covered in a single day by car or bike – Nylars Round Church is just a quarter of an hour away, after which Olsker and Østerlars are worth the detour.