Saksild Church
Close to one of Denmark's most popular beaches lies an old Romanesque church with almost 900 years of history. The beautiful, whitewashed village church, with its serrated roof, is open during staff working hours.
Village church by the coast of Odder
Less than a kilometre inland from the best beach on the east coast, Saksild Strand, lies this Romanesque church in the old village with the same name. Saksild Church dates back to the mid-1100s, making it one of the oldest churches along the coast of Odder. It is among the oldest of the many stone-built village churches in Denmark during the period of 1150-1250.
Like most Danish churches, Saksild Church was owned by the Danish crown after the Reformation in the 1500s. In 1660, King Frederik III suffered a major defeat when Skåne, Halland, and Blekinge had to be ceded. The Danish steward Joachim Gersdorff owned a lot of land in Sweden, and as compensation for his loss, he was granted a large area around Odder, including several local churches and farms. This included Saksild Church and the manor Rathlousdal. The church was then owned by Rathlousdal until 1922, when it became self-owned.
About the Church
The choir and nave of the church are original, built in the mid-1100s from large, rough boulders. In the Middle Ages, the church was extended, adding a porch and a narrow tower. The tower is known as a stilt tower, seen mainly in East Jutland. These towers were open from the outside into a staircase. This opening was later bricked up in Saksild Church. In one corner of the tower, there is a decorated granite block from the 1100s, which is embedded in the foundation.
The church interior is sparse in terms of furnishings from the early centuries, but rich in atmosphere. The interior of the church exudes warmth and harmony – not least due to the beautifully coordinated colours and the careful renovation that took place in 1981. The whitewashed walls contrast nicely with the red/brown beamed ceiling and the red and green pews.
In the otherwise relatively new church interior, the pulpit and altarpiece from the 15-1600s stand out, especially. The altarpiece was made by the local woodcarver Peder Jensen Kolding, who is behind a significant number of altarpieces and pulpits in Kystlandet. The church's crucifix from the same period might also be attributed to Kolding.
Want to Visit Saksild Church?
Saksild Church is open whenever work is being done in the churchyard, i.e., during daytime hours on weekdays. You are welcome to come have a look inside if no church services are running. Staff may come and go, so there is no guarantee of it being open when you arrive.
The church is located about one kilometre from the beach and its surrounding summer houses and shopping facilities. From the beach, you can follow Strandvejen a few hundred meters west to reach the church. A few meters from the church you find Bagergården in Saksild and GROFT, both offering delicious baked goods.
On this page, you find further inspiration for your trip to Saksild.
More Historical Attractions
Kystlandet offers many exciting historical attractions, from ancient history to industrial history – from museums to buildings and attractions in nature.