Havetoft: St. Mary’s Church and Havetoft Lake

Havetoft offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the historic features of St. Mary’s Church, the municipal swimming area on Havetoft Lake, and information about everyday essentials. This makes it easy to consider culture, a spot by the water, and practical errands as separate topics. At the church, historic details range from Romanesque and Gothic elements to a later altar retable; at the swimming area, free access, a small sandy beach, and parking are key features.

St. Mary’s Church in Havetoft: architecture and furnishings

St. Mary’s Church in Havetoft has a range of architectural and decorative features. Inside, a very narrow Romanesque round arch connects the choir and transept. The altar retable is a Neo-Baroque imitation dating from 1863. The furnishings also include a late Romanesque granite baptismal font from the mid-13th century and a Gothic triumphal cross from the first half of the 14th century. These dates span different periods: the font and round arch are classified as Romanesque, the cross is Gothic, and the retable was created much later. At the church’s eastern entrance, the path passes through Angeln’s oldest brick-built cemetery gate. It was built in 1626 and repaired in 1766.

The round arch describes an architectural connection between the choir and transept; the font, triumphal cross, and retable, by contrast, are furnishings. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s architectural form from its works of art as two separate perspectives.

Playground and leisure facility

The village playground is right next to the leisure facility and can also be used outside the kindergarten’s opening hours. If you plan to visit, this time restriction is a practical point to keep in mind during your stay.

Havetoft Lake and swimming area

The municipal swimming area on Havetoft Lake is freely accessible at all times. There is a small sandy beach on the north shore, and parking is available at the swimming area.

The local highlights differ depending on your travel interests: St. Mary’s Church brings together architectural features and historic furnishings from several periods, while the swimming area offers a clear connection to the water. Cultural history and a place to swim are therefore two distinct points of interest when planning your trip.

Shopping and visiting the bakery

There are no shops for everyday essentials in Havetoft itself; you can find them within a few kilometres in Tarp, Satrup, and Böklund. A baker comes to Havetoft once a week. If this weekly schedule matters for your plans, check the current date in advance.

Travel interests in the Schleswig-Flensburg destination

The Schleswig-Flensburg destination also offers distinct cultural and natural attractions. Haithabu and the Danevirke have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since June 2018; more than 25 kilometres of the Danevirke rampart still remain today. The Idstedt historical memorial site and museum provide information about German-Danish history surrounding the 1848 uprising and the Battle of Idstedt. At 773 hectares, Geltinger Birk is the largest nature reserve in the Schleswig-Flensburg district. It has well-maintained trails and guided walks that share information about the local flora and fauna. More than 130 bird species can be observed on Holnis, including around 65 breeding species.

For the broader travel overview: Südangeln.