Of all the churches we saw in Denmark, this type of white church was the one that intrigued us the most. It was also the one we saw dotted all over the landscape everywhere we went.
I didn't grow up with white churches in America,
nor do we see them here in the Netherlands.
So, those that we saw were like a magical "figment" of our imagination.
Which brings me to the most beautiful example of the outside exterior that we saw, not far from our last hotel near Borre, on Møn island in southeastern Denmark. It so happens it was also one of the most beautiful we saw on the inside: the Elmelunde Church.
It's the oldest church on Denmark's island of Møn, built in 1085.
Take your pick.
From all angles it's a beauty to behold.
It helps, of course, if you see it on a gorgeous, sunny day.
And you thought the OUTSIDE was beautiful!
This is the altar-pulpit end of the nave...
...showcasing the incredible frescoes believed to have been painted by the Elmelunde Master,
a nameless artist from the 16th century with paintings in 3 churches on Møn.
This is the view of the nave towards the organ, opposite the altar at the other end.
The frescoes were covered with several layers of limewash for centuries,
following the Reformation, when Denmark transitioned from Catholicism to Lutheranism.
It was only in 1969 that restoration was undertaken to reveal them.
don't you wonder what others, like the hieroglyphs, depict?!
The center panel depicts the Last Supper/Holy Communion,
The 1649 pulpit was a gift from the daughter and son-in-law of King Christian IV,
Leonora Christina and Corfitz Ulfeldt.
The apostle Peter is the one who holds it up.
The canopy above the pulpit is worth a closer look...
...especially against the backdrop of the wall frescoes.
So many stories and symbolism represented!
The 1646 carved altarpiece is also a gift from Leonora Christina and Corfitz Ulfeldt.
with the evangelists, Mark and John, on the sides.
This altarpiece, like the pulpit, also has a ladder at the top,
juxtaposed against the Crucifixion cross of Jesus.
Last but not least, here's the free-standing, relatively new and under-stated organ.
Rather than being unimpressed, I was glad they at least had one,
unlike the last church I posted about on Stevns Klint!
One after-thought look from the car, as we were leaving:
It wasn't just the inside that had been obviously white-washed!
Did they want us to know???
The work painting — anonymously — and the work to then uncover the paintings, just mind boggling, and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI know, Ruth, and thank you. It all totally blows my mind!
DeleteAmazing! So great to see your feed in my in-box this morning!
ReplyDeleteAnd that you were able to post this comment yourself, Robin, after all these years!!!
DeleteI know!!❤️
DeleteOh....wat zijn dit mooie kerken en het interieur dat jij ons toont is fantastisch.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Marjolein, and thank you. We don't see anything like this here in the Netherlands, do we!!!
DeleteInderdaad, Marjolein, en bedankt. Zoiets zien we hier in Nederland toch niet!!!
Incredible frescoes! Thank you for sharing the photos of that incredible church. Exceptional beauty!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Marie, of course. Have any of us ever grown up in such a church??!!??
DeleteTo find a church like this is a real treasure for us. Knowing that they had to peel off many layers of white wash to see what is underneath it, is just mind blowing. It was great to try to figure out the stories told at the ceiling. It was a joy to see all the rich decorated details in this church. Again your pictures are amazing and help us reminding the beautiful things we saw. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteIn remembering this, Astrid, I know that we have to pinch ourselves! I wonder how many tourists go to visit Denmark and never enter one of these churches to see the incredible beauty?!
DeleteSorry late to the party. OMG, the interior dome is incredible. They don't make churches this grandiose anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou're never too late, Maria, so thank you for your comment!
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