St. Laurentius Church, Kosel

The Romanesque round tower church dates from the 12th century and was built partly from granite boulders and partly from red bricks. The cemetery is shaped like a ship's hull.

The St. Laurentius Church in Kosel is one of three round-tower churches in Schleswig. However, it should be certain that it originally had no tower. It is easy to prove that the tower was subsequently added to the west gable of the nave.When this church was built is just as little known as the answer to the question of whether a wooden church previously stood on this site. Sticking with the latter: It is likely, but there is no evidence for it. The second half of the 12th century is assumed to be the date for the construction of the nave and the chancel of today's St. Laurentius church. There is no evidence either. But during this period, numerous churches of exactly this type were built between the Eider and North Jutland.A major overhaul was carried out in 1863: the outer walls were brought to their present height. On the south front, the large windows replaced the earlier small Romanesque windows that now only exist on the north wall. The women's door was also bricked up there, as was the door from the nave to the tower. The tympanum that crowned the main entrance on the south side was used face down as a lintel for this entrance. A porch was built in front of the main entrance, primarily as a porch. The roof truss, the ceiling of the nave and the roof were completely renewed. The relatively thin ceiling beams, nine meters long, were anchored to the roof truss in a self-supporting manner and the roof was covered with English slate.In 1936 the 40-year-old side-by-side stove was replaced with a Perkings coke-fired heater and electric light was installed in the church.The last renovation took place in 1968: the roof was given Eternit slate. The floor was laid with a new covering of hand-painted bricks. The entrance doors to the nave and the sanctuary have been renewed.Source and further detailed information:kkre.de/gemeinden/kosel/st-laurentius-kirche

Tip: Enjoy the wooden angels playing the violin and cello under the organ.