Nylars Round Church

Eight kilometres south-east of Rønne stands Nylars Round Church, built around 1165 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of sailors - "Nylars" is the Bornholm dialect's rendering of his name. Among connoisseurs it's considered the finest and best-built of Bornholm's four round churches: it's the only one that never needed external buttresses added later.

A fortified church against Baltic pirates

The three-storey round building measures eleven metres across inside, with walls one and a half to two metres thick. It was built for survival: arrow slits, a shaft for hoisting up supplies, and originally an open battlement crown instead of a roof turned the church into a place of refuge, further ringed in the Middle Ages by a palisade wall. The striking tall conical spire wasn't added until the 16th century. Seeing the upper floor, with its remains of the defensive platform, takes a bit of luck - it's only open when staff are on site.

Creation story on the central pillar

Inside, a sturdy central pillar carries the ring vault. Around it runs the church's art-historical treasure: a limewash fresco frieze from around 1275 to 1300, telling the story of Creation and the Fall in seven scenes - from the creation of Adam through the temptation to the expulsion from paradise. It's the most complete medieval picture cycle found in any of Bornholm's round churches.

In the porch, added in 1879, stand two rune stones: one from around 1050, commemorating a man who fell at Ulvänge, and the other regarded as Bornholm's finest Christian rune stone, raised for a sailor who drowned.

Getting there and practical tips

• By car via Kirkevej 10, Nylars; parking at the church. It's only about 10 minutes from Rønne - a good first or last stop on a ferry day.
• BAT bus line 4 stops in Nylars; general tips are gathered in our Getting there guide.
• On the same route towards Aakirkeby is the nature centre NaturBornholm - together they fill half a day.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely - Nylars combines free admission, the best-preserved fabric of any round church and the finest fresco cycle of the four, all without the crowds of Østerlars. If you want to compare fortified-church architecture, add the Nyker Round Church, the smallest of the four, also close to Rønne.