| The
Sand covered church from the 14th century is located
right on the top of Denmark in the northern region
of Jutland called Vendsyssel - nearby the popular
coastal vacation town Skagen. The old parish church
called "Saint Laurence" -
was once the largest in
the region with the biggest congregation in the
area. |
| Old
picture of the Sanded Church from around 1880
- which even at that time was a great tourist
attraction and historical venue. The church was
closed in 1795 for further services - and the
red brick tower with the characteristic crow-stepped
gables was painted white in 1816. |
Skagen
is also infamous for its colony of prominent Skagen
Painters. One of the most famous paintings “Summer
Evening on Skagen's Southern Beach” -painted
by P.S. Krøyer 1892 - is displayed at Skagen
Museum. |
| Top
Attraction in Denmark |
| The
original tower of the sand covered church at Skagen
Dune Plantation was 22 metres high - and at the
present only 18 metres are visible. The last service
took place in 1795 - and the last burial ceremony
was conducted in 1801. |
|
Station
building from 1919 |
The
old Station building in Skagen from 1919 - is
the most northern terminus in Denmark - and painted
in the traditional yellow colour - with a red
roof and white coated corners - similar decorated
as all the other buildings and houses in Skagen. |
|
| The
Sanded Church - Skagen |
| One
of the most visited historical sites in Denmark
|
The
Sanded Church - Skagen - Denmark
One of the top tourist attractions and one of the most
visited historical sites in Denmark is
the sand covered church located in
the enormous landscape of the drifting white sandy dunes
around the coastal town of Skagen -
on the very top of the Jutland Peninsular
and Denmark's most northerly point. The church called
"Saint Laurence" - a patron saint for the
seafarer’s of Skagen - is possibly build in the
middle of the 14th century - and was
the largest church with the biggest parish and congregation
at that time in the northern region of Jutland called
Vendsyssel. The sanded church was build with red
bricks. The length of the nave was about 45
metres - and the tower with the crow-stepped
gables was 22 metres high. At present
only 18 metres of the tower is visible.
Around the original church and graveyard there was built
a 5 metre high brick wall with entrances
from north - east and south. After 1816
the entire church tower was painted white.
1775
- The first sandstorm
On Great Prayer Day - “Store Bededag” 1775
- faithful church goers - who were attending service
- had to dig their way into the church building - as
the door to the main entrance and church
porch was covered with drifted sand. The graves
at the graveyard was also berried in sand due to the
heavy sandstorm the night before - which moved the high
sandy dunes on this flat and wind blowing area facing
the Kattagat sea. The graveyard was
the final burial plot for many prominent locals - as
well as the native citizens from this large northerly
region in Denmark. The last burial ceremony took place
in 1801 - where the family and fellow
mourners attended the funeral with sand reaching up
to their waists.
1795 - Church closing
In 1775 - the members of the parish
together with the priest succeeded to close the church
for further services as the church building was nearly
covered with sand - and the graveyard
was no more visible - but could conduct funerals on
these holy grounds. For 20 long years
the congregation had battled the various sandstorms
and migrating sands - and at last they had to give up
to “Mother Nature” - and “God’s
Will”. By a royal decree the old parish church
was finally closed for ever in 1795.
Hans Christian Andersen - 1859
The world famous Danish fairytale writer and poet Hans
Christian Andersen - noted for his imaginary
children's stories - visited Skagen in 1859
- and was amazed when he saw the tower
of the sand covered church placed in the middle of the
dune plantation stretching for kilometers down to the
enormous beach area and costal line. The outstanding
experience from his journey to Skagen inspired him to
write a story called “A Story from the Dunes”
in 1860 - and became his fairytale
number 91.
The Skagen Painters
Skagen is also recognized for the colony of gifted Skagen
Painters - who enjoyed the reputation of a
bohemian lifestyle - included not only
painters - but also writers and other
influential people as well. While only
a few were fulltime residents of the Skagen community
- they were often joined by friends - especially during
the summer months. The favourite and most popular meeting
venue and gathering place for the Skagen painters
was at the legendary "Brøndum's Hotel"
- which is still in operation today.
Skagen on top
of Denmark
A "must" see historical venue
The
old sand covered church in the heart of the untamed
wilderness of the drifting sand dunes is an amazing
and quite peculiar site - plus a historical
venue that is a “must” to see and experience
- while you are spending time in Jutland - and at the
most northern tip of Denmark. And while in the Skagen
area - visit one of the biggest fishing
harbours in Denmark surrounded by the numerous seafood
restaurants side by side - plus the charming
Skagen city with all the attractive
yellow painted houses with red roofs - as well as Skagen
Museum - where many of the Skagen Painters
master pieces are on display - and last but not least
- the widespread sandy beaches that
stretches all around the North Jutland peninsular.
|
“Grenen”
The top of Denmark is also called "Grenen"
(The Branch) - where the spit is divided by the
waters of Skagerrak and Kattegat
Seas - and is the very northern point of Denmark.
Visitor can actually have both legs in two different
Sea areas - when visiting the most northern part
of Denmark.
Top Attractions and Historical venues in Denmark
see: Delightful
Denmark
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There
are many child friendly beaches and bathing
facilities around Skagen - and also on the
eastern side of the spit of Skagen called
"Grenen". |
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