St Peter’s Church (Peders Kirke, near Aakirkeby)
Pedersker Church is considered one of the oldest churches on Bornholm, dedicated to the Apostle Peter. Its simple form suggests that it was built around the year 1100, although some sources place its origins in the mid-12th century. It is also said that an earlier wooden church may once have stood on this site.
Pedersker Church opens a remarkable chapter of Bornholm’s architectural and spiritual heritage — its earliest surviving elements indicate that it served as an important religious centre long before many other churches on the island were established. Architectural studies show that the preserved parts include the chancel and the apse, constructed from local Silurian limestone typical of southern Bornholm.
Major alterations — including the construction of the main nave and the tower — were carried out in later centuries, making the church a “living document” of the evolving styles and sacred functions throughout Bornholm’s history.
Good to know
- Church location: Skt. Peders Kirke is situated in the small village of Pedersker, south of Aakirkeby
The History of Peders Kirke
For travellers with a passion for architecture, this modest church is a true delight. Entering through the former northern doorway (now no longer in everyday use), you can immediately spot the traces of the old vaults and the very narrow portals — clear evidence of its earliest role as a chapel for a small local settlement.
The interior impresses with its historic furnishings: a Romanesque font from Gotland, late-Gothic altar candlesticks and a 19th-century Rococo pulpit. These elements make the church not only architecturally fascinating but also a treasure trove of Bornholm’s liturgical history.
If you are planning a trip around Aakirkeby, it is well worth stopping by this quiet yet significant church — take a moment in the peaceful nave, feel the texture of the stone walls, notice the contrast between the older structure and the later additions, and listen to the stories preserved within the ancient masonry.
How to get there
| By car | from Aakirkeby, drive south towards Pedersker; the church stands right beside the main road |
| By bus | regional buses run to Pedersker from Aakirkeby and Nexø; the bus stop is only a few minutes’ walk from the church |
| By bicycle | from Aakirkeby, follow a quiet and pleasant route along local roads through open fields towards Pedersker. The easiest option is to take the Aakirkeby–Pedersker road (vej 9), which is flat and easy to ride. After around 10 minutes, the church appears on your left, just off the main road |
Location
| Peders Kirke | |
| Søndre Landevej 63K, Pedersker, 3720 Aakirkeby, DK |
