Kollemorten-Givskud

Selected experiences on the route

Øster Nykirke and Saint Peter's Spring
Øster Nykirke, also known as St. Peter's Church, majestically rests atop the ridge and reigns as Denmark's highest located church, 130 meters above sea level. The church was built between 1150-1200 as a pilgrimage church in honor of St. Peter's Holy Spring, whose water was once believed to have healing powers.

You will notice that the church's architectural style is Romanesque. During the late Gothic period, the church was extended with a tower, which was originally 12 meters taller than it is today. Despite the church bell dating from 1438, it still rings to call people to worship. Øster Nykirke's most distinguished treasure is a tympanum: a triangular field in a classical church gable, typically used in Romanesque architecture. When you step inside the church, you will see that both the altarpiece and the pulpit are richly decorated with scenes and figures from the Bible. Both are from 1632, and legend has it that they were carved by a blind woodcarver from Vonge.

St. Peter's Holy Spring can be found just east of the church, where there is a small well surrounded by a replica of a medieval well curb. At a crossroads south of the church stands an old milestone from 1856. The stone is engraved with the place names Colding and Vester Mølle, marking the importance of the Hærvejen route up until the mid-19th century.

Hærvejen 309, 7323 Give