The Sanded Church

The church, whose name is Sct. Laurentii Kirke, is believed to have been built in the latter half of the 1300th century and was at that time the largest in Vendsyssel.

In the dunes west of Skagen town stands the tower of the old parish church, the medieval St. Laurentius Church, today known as 'The Sand-Blocked Church'. For four hundred years it gathered the congregation, until the sand drift settled over the church road and cemetery and decay set in, so that in 1795 they were forced to stop holding services, and the church was closed.

St. Laurentius was a magnificent church with an impressive interior, of which now only the altar's two heavy ore candlesticks remain. They stand on the altar of the 'new' church, Skagen Church. But beneath the ground surface there are still remains of the church's foundations and floor, as well as a baptismal font, which - like the rest of the interior - was not removed and sold.

Recent research around the 200th anniversary of the church's closure has helped to mark the church's ground plan, including the location of the nave and sacristy, which can be seen behind the tower. Red stakes mark the ground plan, while fascines mark the known parts of the old cemetery wall. Many questions remain unanswered, which is probably part of the site's fascination.

Lawrence is the patron saint of this and many other Western churches. He was the protector of sailors and the poor and was martyred on a grate. This can be found in the Skagen city coat of arms along with the words "Our hope in God alone" (seen above the main entrance to Skagen town hall).

Skagen Church organizes open-air church services at Den tilsandede Church with brass band music every Thursday evening at 19.30:XNUMX p.m. from mid-June to mid-August throughout the summer.

Approximately 400 m from the Sanded Church there is a parking lot with a playground, tables and benches, and toilets – and during the summer there is also a kiosk from which tickets are sold for those who wish to go up the church tower.

For more information on The Sand-Covered Church in Skagen...

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