Gylling Church

Gylling Church is a small village church in Gylling, just south of Odder in East Jutland. Dating back to the 12th century, it is built in the Romanesque style and stands out in the flat landscape with its characteristic stilted tower. Inside and around the church you will find several historical features, the most notable being a Viking-era runestone. The combination of an early medieval church and a much older runic monument makes Gylling Church a useful short stop for travellers interested in Danish history and architecture.

Gylling Church is worth a brief diversion if you are interested in early Danish history. The Romanesque building and distinctive tower give a clear sense of a medieval village church, while the Viking-era runestone adds an older layer of interest. It is an easy, focused stop where you can quickly see several centuries of local history in one place.

A compact stop combining a 12th‑century Romanesque church with a Viking-era runestone in one easy visit.

Planning your visit

How long to stay

30–45 minutes

Best time to visit

Daytime hours, when there is enough light to view the church exterior, tower details and the runestone clearly. Weekdays or quieter times outside major services are usually better if you want to look around in peace and take photographs without many people about.

Around here

Nearby on the Margueritruten

• The Mill in Gylling

  Attraction · 407 m

• 

  Falling Church

  Church · 2.8 km

• Dorthe Bent

  Local business · 4.0 km

• Gyllingnæs Manor

  Historic building · 4.1 km

• Åkjær Manor

  Historic building · 4.6 km

• The Mounds of Bjørnkær Castle

  Historic building · 4.7 km

Frequently asked

Where is Gylling Church in relation to Odder and the Margueritruten route?

Gylling Church is in the village of Gylling, south of Odder in East Jutland. It lies directly on the Margueritruten scenic driving route, so you do not need to make a long detour. As you drive through this part of East Jutland, it works well as a short stop between other sights around Odder and the nearby countryside.

What is special about Gylling Church compared to other churches in East Jutland?

Gylling Church stands out for two main reasons. First, it is an ancient Romanesque village church dating back to the 12th century, giving a clear impression of early medieval church building. Second, it has a distinctive stilted tower and several historical objects, including a Viking-era runestone, which means you meet both Viking and medieval history in one compact place.

Can I see a Viking runestone at Gylling Church?

Yes, one of the key attractions at Gylling Church is a Viking-era runestone. This stone, carved with runic inscriptions, predates the 12th-century Romanesque church and shows that the area was important long before the current building was constructed. Seeing the runestone next to the later church highlights the transition from the Viking period into the Christian Middle Ages.

How long should I plan to spend visiting Gylling Church?

Most travellers will only need a short visit at Gylling Church. Around half an hour is usually enough time to walk around the exterior, notice the characteristic stilted tower, and take a closer look at the Viking-era runestone and other historical details. You can extend your stop if you want to sit quietly or take photographs from different angles.

Can I combine a visit to Gylling Church with other nearby sights?

Gylling Church is easy to combine with other local stops. Within a short distance you will find The Mill in Gylling, which gives another view of village life, and Gyllingnæs Manor and the mounds of Bjørnkær Castle, which reflect the area’s later estate and fortification history. Together they make a varied short route around Gylling and the countryside south of Odder.

What kind of architecture does Gylling Church have?

Gylling Church is a Romanesque village church from the 12th century. Romanesque churches typically have simple, solid forms and relatively small window openings. Here, the most distinctive feature is the characteristic stilted tower, which stands out clearly when you approach the church and helps distinguish it from many other rural churches in East Jutland.

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