Background

Højerup Old Church – The Dramatic Cliffside Sanctuary

Medieval church perched above the dramatic Stevns Klint cliffs, blending Danish history, Baltic views, and UNESCO World Heritage geology in South Zealand.

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Perched spectacularly atop the chalk cliffs of Stevns Klint, Højerup Old Church is a centuries-old stone church with sweeping views of the Baltic Sea. First built in the early 1200s, this beautifully preserved medieval church stands just meters from a sheer drop, offering visitors not only rare history but also dramatic scenery shaped by both nature and time. Parts of the original choir crumbled into the sea in 1928, a testament to the forces at work along this UNESCO-recognized coastline.

A brief summary to Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14.

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Arrive early or late in the day for stunning light along the cliffs and fewer visitors.
  • Bring sturdy shoes—the best views are from the cliff-top paths and uneven ground is likely.
  • The historic interior can be chilly; a light jacket is recommended even in summer.
  • Don’t miss the small exhibition nearby explaining the 1928 collapse and cliff geology.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    Take a regional train or bus towards Store Heddinge, the closest town hub in South Zealand. From there, local buses or taxis can bring you to Højerup; the final leg winds through rural countryside and coastal fields, delivering you directly to the church grounds. The bus journey from Store Heddinge is typically 20–30 minutes, with tickets costing around 24–32 DKK. Check schedules in advance, as service may be less frequent on weekends or during winter.

  • Taxi

    A taxi from Store Heddinge center can bring you to Højerup Old Church in approximately 10–15 minutes. Expect fares of roughly 110–150 DKK one way, depending on traffic and time of day. Taxis can drop you at the small car park adjacent to the church; very limited parking is available for private cars as well.

  • Driving

    If arriving by car, follow signs toward Stevns Klint and Højerup. The approach passes through small villages and scenic rural landscapes before reaching a small, free public car park a short walk from the edge of the cliffs. Parking can fill quickly in high season, so arrive early if possible.

  • Cycling

    For those cycling from the broader South Zealand area, the route to Højerup is part of popular local circuits and mostly follows marked paths through open farmland and along the coast. The final approach involves gentle hills and open views; bike racks are provided near the entrance. Allow up to one hour from Store Heddinge depending on your pace.

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Højerup Old Church is more than just a historic building—it is a striking fusion of Danish heritage and natural spectacle, dramatically suspended on the edge of the Stevns Klint cliffs. Constructed in 1250, the church has served as a place of worship and community for centuries, with its story etched into the stone walls and the very ground beneath it. But what truly sets it apart is its precarious position. On the 16th of March 1928, the original choir crashed into the sea below as the cliffs gave way, a dramatic event that turned Højerup into a lasting symbol of the battle between land and water. Standing inside today, visitors can see where the church was reopened, facing the Baltic waves with a steel balcony offering breathtaking, unobstructed views all the way to Møn and Sweden on clear days. Step inside the cool, tranquil nave, where medieval frescoes peer from behind centuries of whitewash and light streams through narrow Romanesque windows. The churchyard tells its own story, scattered with timeworn gravestones and surrounded by wildflowers in the summer months. Outside, paths wind along the cliff-top, providing exceptional views across the UNESCO-listed Stevns Klint, celebrated for its exposed geological layers and fossilized record of the dinosaur extinction. Højerup Church is a beloved spot for both locals and international visitors, combining accessible local legend, gritty geology, and soul-stirring vistas. It is especially atmospheric in the early morning or late afternoon, when sea mists swirl around the stonework, and the silence is broken only by the cries of seabirds wheeling far below. Entry is typically free and the site is open year-round, though check locally for hours in the off-season. The church, with its dramatic narrative and unique cliffside setting, is an unmissable highlight for anyone exploring South Zealand.

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