Højerup

The reason Stevns Klint has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the fish fossil bed and the clear stratification in the cliff, which tells the story of life before and after the asteroid impact that took place 66 million years ago. 

Stevns Klint, and Højerup in particular, is quite simply the best place in the world to see the traces of this event. And it was in Højerup that the geologist Walter Alvarez took the crucial samples from the Fiskeleret to prove his theory that it was a meteor that helped wipe out the dinosaurs.

In the summer, there are guided World Heritage tours from Højerup.

Højerup Old Church – the church on the edge

The church’s history dates back as far as the 13th century. It was said at the time that ‘the church moved a cock’s feather’s width inland every Christmas Eve’. But nature eventually caught up with the church. The sea washed away the soft chalk at the base of the cliff, and in 1910 the church was decommissioned because it had become too dangerous. A new church was built further away from the cliff in 1913, and stands as a fine chalk-stone building next to the inn in Højerup.During a major cliff collapse in 1928, the church’s chancel and part of the churchyard tumbled into the sea. The church has since been secured against further collapse. Where the chancel once stood, there is now a viewing terrace where you can literally hang over the edge of the cliff, enjoying spectacular views of the Baltic Sea and the World Heritage Site. The church is adorned with stunning frescoes. You can read more about both the church and the frescoes on the Højeruplund Society’s website.

Although the church no longer officially functions as a place of worship, it remains a popular venue for weddings. Every year, around 150 civil wedding ceremonies are held there, many of them involving foreign couples seeking a special experience.

Opening hours

The church is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00 between Easter and 31 October. During wedding ceremonies, access to the church is not permitted whilst the ceremony is taking place.

The whole area exudes a sense of tranquillity and invites you to relax. You can go for walks in Mindelunden, where there is a playground and an ice-cream parlour, as well as benches and tables for enjoying a packed lunch. You can also enjoy a coffee or a meal at Traktørstedet Højeruplund. A short distance from the cliff edge, you can see the village pond, surrounded by cherry trees and the charming houses of the village.

Højerup Old Church, the car park and the surrounding area are managed by the Selskabet Højeruplund association.

If you’ve caught a fish or need to rinse your boots, there are facilities and toilets at the back of the inn – just follow the signs.

We have many visitors in Højerup around midday. You’ll find more peace and quiet, and more space, at the start and end of the day.