Orphir Round Church facts for kids
The Orphir Round Church, also known as the Round Kirk or St Nicholas's Church, is an ancient building in Orphir Parish. It is located on the Mainland, Orkney, in Scotland. Since 2014, this historic site has been protected as a scheduled monument.
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What the Church Looked Like
The church was built in a special round shape. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The main part of the church was a circular room called a nave, which was about six metres (or 20 feet) wide. On the eastern side, there was a curved section called an apse. This apse had a rounded roof and a window in the middle. The walls of the church were very thick, about one metre (or three feet) wide.
A Glimpse into History
Who Built the Church?
Experts believe that Earl Haakon Paulsson built this church. He was a powerful leader of Orkney from 1103 to 1123. The story goes that he built it as a way to make up for a very sad event. He was involved in the death of his cousin and co-ruler, Magnus Erlendsson. Magnus later became known as Saint Magnus. This event happened in the late 1000s or early 1100s.
The Earl's Bu and the Saga
The old stories, found in the Orkneyinga saga, tell us more. After Magnus's death, Earl Haakon took full control in 1117. The round church was later given a new dedication to Saint Magnus. The saga also mentions a "large drinking-hall" with a "magnificent church" nearby. You can still see the remains of this drinking hall, which is known as the 'Earl's Bu'. There are also parts of an 11th-century Norse watermill that used water power.
Scotland's Oldest Round Church
The Orphir Round Church is the oldest surviving round church in Scotland. There was only one other round medieval church in Scotland, located at Roxburgh, close to the English border. The design of these round churches was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Many knights returning from the Crusades tried to copy this famous building, making round churches a popular style.
The Church Today
Most of the Orphir Round Church survived until 1757. Sadly, much of it was taken apart to get stones for a new local church. That new church has also been taken down since then. Today, only the curved apse and a small piece of the round nave wall are left. The site is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. It is open for people to visit and learn about its past. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument.
Exploring the Past: Archaeology
Archaeologists have worked hard to understand the history of the Orphir Round Church. While some modern methods, like Geophysical surveys, haven't been very helpful, digging into the ground (excavations) has taught us a lot. These digs have helped experts piece together how the church was built and changed over time.
Images for kids
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The remains of the Orphir Round Church
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Another view of the church ruins
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The historic site of the Orphir Round Kirk
