Swantow: Church and Surroundings

St. Stephen's Church is one of the oldest churches on Rügen.
Source and further information: kirche-swantow.de

St. Stephen's Church in Swantow has a historic cemetery in front of it and is located in the center of the village. It is one of the oldest churches on the island of Rügen and was first mentioned in 1294.
The current church building, however, dates back to 1469 and, according to historians, is said to have been built near the sacred grove of the Slavs. The boulders in the northern foundation of the church may belong to this earlier Slavic place of worship.
According to tradition, the noble Absolon, Bishop of Roskilde (Denmark)
and Lund (Sweden), baptized the first Christians in the area in Swantow. He is one of the most important figures in Danish church history of the Middle Ages.
At the now walled-up north portal, you can still find an old holy water font. Next to the church stands a well-preserved rectory from the 18th century. This rectory was built as a single-story timber-framed house with eaves.ruegenmagic.de/Kirchen-Ruegen/kirche-swantow.htm

A little renovation, but worth seeing!