Soderup Church – Denmark's Oldest Frescoes

A Medieval Church with a Rare Story

Between Tølløse and Hvalsø, where the Elverdamsåen river winds through a rolling landscape of fields, small villages and large forests, Soderup Kirke stands as a natural focal point of the small village of Soderup. The oldest walls of the church date back to the 12th century, and the whitewashed building has received additions over the centuries that make it remarkably large for a village church. Together with the churchyard, the old parsonage and the surrounding buildings, the church forms a complete cultural environment that tells the story of village life in West Zealand over nearly a thousand years.

Murals from the Church's Earliest Days

Above the south door at the entrance from the porch hides one of Soderup Kirke's most precious treasures: a mural from 1150-1200 depicting the Three Wise Men kneeling and offering their gifts. The painting is partially preserved, but among experts it is considered extremely valuable precisely because of its great age. It ranks among the oldest murals one can experience in a Danish village church, and for that reason alone Soderup Kirke is worth a visit for anyone interested in medieval art and faith.

Art and Restoration

On the north wall of the church hangs a beautiful chancel arch crucifix from 1450, testifying to the craftsmanship traditions of the late Middle Ages. The former altarpiece, a marble relief depicting Christ at Emmaus based on Thorvaldsen's plaster relief, can now be seen in the nave. The relief was given to the church in 1870 by Countess Dannemand of Åstrup manor as a silver wedding anniversary gift to her husband. In 2012, the church underwent a comprehensive restoration led by artist Christella Bamford, who in collaboration with the parish council created a new altar area and colour scheme that gives the space a modern warmth without losing its connection to the past.

Historic Graves and the Hospital

The churchyard contains graves connected to major Danish history. Here lies Count Dannemand, son of King Frederik VI, buried alongside his first wife Franciska, daughter of Governor-General Peter von Scholten of the Danish West Indies. General du Plat, who fell at Dybbøl in 1864, also rests here. By the church wall one finds a monument by sculptor Wiedewelt to Johann Bartholin Eichel, one of the driving forces behind the abolition of serfdom. Adjacent to the churchyard stands the listed Hospital from 1739, established by the king's personal physician Johan Eichel as a shelter for the sick and poor. The building served its original purpose right up until the 1950s and is today one of the few listed buildings in the former municipality of Tølløse.

A Living Village Community

Soderup no longer has a grocer or any shops, but the village lives on as a small, close-knit community where the Soderup Village Guild brings residents together for communal events. The church plays a central role in this community with services, concerts, lecture evenings and harvest festivals. A special tradition involves the local flower girls, who since the 1920s have decorated the church for every service — a custom brought to the parish by Pastor Benjamin Balslev and his wife from the Hospital Church in Odense.

Experiences Nearby

The area around Soderup offers beautiful walks along the Elverdamsåen river and through the large forests that characterise the landscape between Hvalsø and Tølløse. Åstrup manor, which has played an important role in the church's history, lies in the immediate vicinity. From Tølløse it is a short distance to Brorfelde Observatory with its trail network and views across the Åmosen wetland, and nature lovers can explore the rolling landscapes that make this part of Holbæk Municipality an ideal excursion destination. Discover even more experiences in the area at destinationsjaelland.dk.