Todbjerg Church

Todbjerg Church north of Aarhus is a small country church with origins in the 12th century. Later alterations added Gothic vaults and a porch in the 1400s, and a modest bell tower in 1772, giving the building a layered appearance. Unusually, the church has kept its original portals. On the tympanum above the women’s door, a man is shown gripping two lions by the throat, often interpreted as Daniel in the lions’ den. It is a straightforward detour from the Margueritruten to see a clear sequence of medieval building phases in one place.

Visit Todbjerg Church for a compact example of Danish church architecture developing from the 1100s through the late Middle Ages to the 18th century. The preserved portals and the tympanum showing a man with two lions are striking details, and the quiet rural location north of Aarhus makes for a short, focused stop off the route.

Worth a short detour to see a rare preserved church portal and clear layers of medieval and later building work.

Planning your visit

How long to stay

30–45 minutes.

Best time to visit

Daytime in any season, when there is enough natural light to see the exterior details and the tympanum above the women’s door clearly.

Around here

Nearby on the Margueritruten

• 

  Elsted Church

  Church · 2.8 km

• Elev Church

  Church · 3.0 km

• Mejlby Church near Aarhus

  Church · 3.7 km

• Trige Church

  Church · 3.8 km

• 

  Hjortshøj Church

  Church · 3.9 km

• Lystrup Church

  Church · 4.0 km

Frequently asked

Where is Todbjerg Church in relation to Aarhus and the Margueritruten route?

Todbjerg Church lies in the countryside north of Aarhus, a short drive from the city outskirts. It is not directly on the Margueritruten, but sits a few kilometres away from the signed route, making it an easy detour by car if you want to visit a rural church with medieval origins while travelling through East Jutland.

How old is Todbjerg Church?

The oldest parts of Todbjerg Church date back to the 12th century, giving it Romanesque origins. Later work in the 1400s added the vaults and the porch, and the small bell tower was built in 1772. Walking around the building, you can see these different phases in the masonry and overall shape of the church.

What is special about the portals at Todbjerg Church?

Todbjerg Church has retained its original portals, which is relatively uncommon. On the tympanum above the women’s door there is a carving of a man holding two lions by the throat. This figure is often thought to represent Daniel in the lions’ den, and it is one of the most distinctive details to look for when you visit.

How much time should I plan for a visit to Todbjerg Church?

Most visitors will only need a short stop at Todbjerg Church. Allow around half an hour to walk around the exterior, notice the different building phases from the 12th century to 1772, and examine the original portals and the tympanum above the women’s door. It combines easily with other nearby churches north of Aarhus.

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

Todbjerg Church works well as part of a short church tour north of Aarhus. From here you can drive on to places such as Trige Church or Mejlby Church near Aarhus. This makes a compact circuit from the Margueritruten, giving an overview of several rural churches in one area without a long detour.

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