Nørrelandskirkens Klokketårn (Church of Nørreland Bell Tower)

Nørrelandskirkens Klokketårn (Nørreland Church Bell Tower) Johan SWE (Atlas Obscura User)

Bell towers come in all shapes and sizes. Few of them, however, look as distinctive as the freestanding one belonging to the Church of Nørreland in Holstebro. Locals call it “the dovecot,” while others think it looks more like a box-shaped, UFO levitating high above the treetops.

Designed by Danish architect couple Inger and Johannes Exner, the tower was erected in 1970 and was considered futuristic for the time. This opinion still lives on even today.

The structure consists of a 114 foot (35 meters) high steel lattice mast carrying a 387 square foot (36 square meters) pine box with 48 bells inside. To get to the bells, the bell-ringer climbs a 110 step spiral staircase.

Visitors will hear the bells chime from Monday till Saturday at 7:45 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 7:30 pm.

Know Before You Go

The Nørreland Church is situated about a 15-minute walk from the Holstebro railway station. Unfortunately, the bell mast is not open to the public, the church is however.