Østerlars Church, Round church in Bornholm, Denmark

Østerlars Church is a round church just north of Østerlars village on Bornholm. It has a circular nave with an outer diameter of about 52 feet (16 meters), an oval chancel, an apse, and three storeys, and it is the largest of the island's four round churches.

Built around 1160, the church is one of Denmark's oldest Romanesque buildings and possibly the oldest of Bornholm's round churches. It was once fortified, with the top storey serving as a shooting gallery, and it has seen additions such as buttresses in the 16th century and a new conical roof in the 17th century.

The church is dedicated to St Lawrence, and its Danish name, Lars, reflects that dedication. Visitors can still see the medieval frescoes on the central column, which show scenes from the Bible and were uncovered after being hidden for centuries.

The church is easy to find just off the main road north of Østerlars village, with parking near the entrance. Inside, a ramp provides step-free access to the main floor, and the central column and its paintings are best seen by walking around the nave.

The central column is hollow and contains a small room known as the oven, which visitors can peek into through an opening. Also, two runestones stand on the site, one inside the porch and one outside, dating from around 1070 and 1100.