# Eskilstrup Church

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Church in Falster, Denmark

Eskilstrup Church Eskilstrup Kirke Eskilstrup Church Location Eskilstrup, Falster Country Denmark Denomination Church of Denmark Architecture Style Romanesque architecture Years built ca. 1130 Administration Diocese Diocese of Lolland–Falster Deanery Falster Provsti Parish Eskilstrup Sogn

**Eskilstrup Church** (Danish: *Eskilstrup Kirke*) is a church in [Eskilstrup](/source/Eskilstrup), [Denmark](/source/Denmark). The church dates from the 12th century and was built in the [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) style. In accordance with a local tradition, it is painted red. It is best known for its [frescos](/source/Fresco), said to be Denmark's oldest.[1]

## History

At the beginning of the 16th century, the church was owned by the bishopric under the administration of its seat at Sørup on [Lolland](/source/Lolland). In 1694, it was annexed to [Ønslev Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%C3%98nslev_Church&action=edit&redlink=1), 3 km to the west. After the [Reformation](/source/Reformation_in_Denmark%E2%80%93Norway_and_Holstein) it came under the Crown until 1767 when it was sold into private ownership. It was, however, soon reacquired by the State until 1852 when it was sold to the farmers of the parish. It gained full independence in 1933.[2]

## Architecture

The church consists of a [Late Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) [apse](/source/Apse), [chancel](/source/Chancel) and [nave](/source/Nave) and a [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture) tower and porch, all built of brick. Pilaster strips decorate the corners of the nave and chancel. The apse and chancel have a rounded foundation base. There is a three-sided wall at the east end of the apse while there are round-arched windows in the side walls. The toothed cornice is decorated a saw-toothed trimming which runs along pilasters to the chancel gable. The nave walls are similarly decorated with cornices and pilasters. The chancel windows resemble those of the apse but they have been extended downwards.[1]

## Interior and fittings

The apse's original vaulting develops from a polygonal base to a quarter dome terminating in the rounded apse arch. During the Gothic period, the chancel ceiling was [cross-vaulted](/source/Cross-vault) while the chancel arch was widened and given a pointed top. The nave has retained a flat ceiling. The red brick tower on a [fieldstone](/source/Fieldstone) base has flat arched windows to the south and west. It opens into the nave through a large irregular arch.[1]

The [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance_art) [altarpiece](/source/Altarpiece) (1617) is rather a rough piece of rural craftmanship. The large cornice is borne by two [Ionic columns](/source/Ionic_column). The central painting by [Stefan Viggo Pedersen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stefan_Viggo_Pedersen&action=edit&redlink=1) (1926) depicts the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Designed by [Jørgen Ringnis](/source/J%C3%B8rgen_Ringnis), the intricately carved [pulpit](/source/Pulpit) (1639) is in the [Auricular style](/source/Auricular_style). With the [four Evangelists](/source/Four_Evangelists) in shell-framed panels, it closely resembles the pulpit in [Lolland](/source/Lolland)'s [Ryde Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ryde_Church&action=edit&redlink=1). The pilasters have however been renewed during rebuilding work in 1805 although the [cherub](/source/Cherub) heads and ornamental decorations have been retained. The hexagonal canopy bears a dove at the top and angels' heads on the corners. The pulpit, staircase and canope are varnished but not coloured.[1]

## Frescos

In 1893, frescos were discovered in the apse and chancel, dating to the second half of the 13th century. The chancel fresco, restored by E. Lind in 1942, includes scenes from Christ's childhood including the Flight to Egypt depicting Joseph, Mary and the ass. They are said to be among the oldest in the region.[1][3]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-natmus_1-4) [Jens Kinkel, "Eskilstrup Kirke"](http://www.danmarks-kirker.dk/lol_fal/eskilstrup_lol.htm), Danmarks Kirker. (in Danish) Retrieved 20 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Eskilstrup Kirke"](http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_1297-1308.pdf), *Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8*, 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 1297–1308. (in Danish) Retrieved 20 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Eskilstrup Sogn"](http://www.lfstift.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=101), Folkekirken i Lolland-Falsters Stift. (in Danish) Retrieved 20 December 2012.

## External links

- [Eskilstrup Kirke](http://www.danmarks-kirker.dk/lol_fal/eskilstrup_lol.htm) with many illustrations.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Eskilstrup Kirke](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Eskilstrup_Kirke).

v t e Falster, Denmark Towns and villages Aastrup Eskilstrup Gedser Guldborg Hasselø Plantage Horbelev Idestrup Marielyst Nordbyen Nørre Alslev Nykøbing Falster Nykøbing Strandhuse Orehoved Ønslev Øster Kippinge Sønder Vedby Skovhuse Stubbekøbing Systofte Skovby Tingsted Torkilstrup Væggerløse Localities Hesnæs Kraghave Virket Culture and attractions Czarens Hus (Nykøbing's city museum) Danmarks Traktormuseum Falster Crocodile Zoo Guldborgsund Zoo Middelaldercentret Churches Aastrup Church Abbey Church, Nykøbing Brarup Church Eskilstrup Church Gedser Church Nørre Alslev Church Stubbekøbing Church Tingsted Church Torkilstrup Church Væggerløse Church Manor houses Corselitze Gammel Kirstineberg Gjedsergaard Orupgaard Valnæsgård Vennerslund Other landmarks Bøtø Nor Pumping Station Ejegod Windmill Generalens Lysthus Gåbense Færgegård Karleby Rectory Nykøbing Latin School Orehoved Lighthouse Torkilstrup Windmill Torkilstrup Rectory Geography Corselitze Forest Gedser Odde Grønsund Guldborgsund Kalvø Storstrømmen History 1872 Baltic Sea flood Falsters Virke Jørgen Ringnis Mecklenburg Ancestral Table Nykøbing Castle Siege of Nykøbing Johan Frederik Classen Transport E47 Farø Bridges Frederick IX Bridge Gedser Station Guldborgsund Bridge Nykøbing Falster railway station Scandlines South Line Storstrøm Bridge Other Diocese of Lolland–Falster Guldborgsund Municipality Det Classenske Fideicommis

[54°51′27″N 11°52′53″E / 54.85750°N 11.88139°E / 54.85750; 11.88139](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Eskilstrup_Church&params=54_51_27_N_11_52_53_E_)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eskilstrup Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskilstrup_Church) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskilstrup_Church?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.