Sæby kirke - Top of Denmark - Official guide to holiday in the Land of Light

Visitor

VisitNordjylland

VisitDenmark

Change version

My Pages

Sæby kirke

The church of Sæby Kirke is known for its fine frescoes from the beginning of the 16th century that tell the story of the Virgin Mary's parents. A story that has been passed down through the ages describes how the altarpiece was thrown overboard from a ship in distress as a gift to Sæby. It depicts the Virgin Mary being crowned as the queen of heaven.

The beautiful church of Skt. Mariæ Kirke is the last remains of a large four-winged Carmelite monastery which, with the help of the Bishop of Børglum, was built in Sæby in around 1470. For a while, the church gave its name to the town - "Mariested".

When the Reformation came to Denmark in 1536, the monastery was abandoned and the buildings demolished. The rubble and broken bricks were then used to build new houses in the town and to add protection to the harbour.

The church is known for its fine frescoes from the beginning of the 16th century that tell the story of the Virgin Mary's parents.

Blind man found the altarpiece on the beach

The Dutch Virgin Mary altarpiece dates back to about 1520. The story goes that the altarpiece was thrown overboard from a ship in distress as a gift to Sæby, and that it was found on the beach by a blind man.

It depicts the Virgin Mary being crowned as the queen of heaven. She's standing on a crescent moon and a hissing dragon. The dragon symbolises the Devil. The sleeping Isaj is lying below with Jesus' family tree growing from his breast.

In addition, there are two large leaf pieces showing the shepherds and the wise men worshipping Jesus. Below them there are four small leaf pieces featuring the four evangelists.

Tuesday, February 08 2011

Opening hours

01.01-24.03 and 29.10-31.12:
Monday-Saturday 08.00-16.00.
Sundays and public holidays 09.00-12.00.

25.03-28.10:
Monday-Saturday 08.00-18.00.
Sundays and public holidays 08.00-16.00.