Moravian Church Settlements

I think 1.5 stars is appropriate for the Bethlehem site, it is newly established this year and I enjoyed my visit but there is much to be desired, which I do think that they are working on. Give this site more funding and staffing and I believe it can be a great site, up to 3 stars. It's an extremely interesting history and they are working on restoring the destroyed buildings. It is not worth more than half a day in my opinion with the Museum and a short stroll visiting the buildings you can read every plaque in that time. The employees are all very passionate there and love the sites, it's clear there is a lot of care that just needs funding. 

I know much has been written about Christiansfeld already, but I don't yet see a review from the perspective of one who has visited a component of the proposed extension to the World Heritage Site before visiting Denmark. In the spring of 2021 I took a road trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to learn more about the Moravian Church Settlements Tentative World Heritage Site extension to Christiansfeld. I came away from the trip with a much richer understanding of the role of the Moravian Church in early America, and the innovations they brought to the young country. The trip gave me high hopes for my visit to Christiansfeld when I traveled to Denmark last month, but unfortunately I left disappointed.

The most striking difference for me between Bethlehem and Christiansfeld was the lack of signage and information about the Moravian Church in Christiansfeld. Some of that can be attributed to the lack of an official tour at Christiansfeld, something I was able to arrange in Bethlehem. Perhaps because of that, but also because of the signs and onsite personnel, I gained a much better understanding about the history and impact of the Moravian Church, with its focus on mission and community and hard work, at Bethlehem than I did at Christiansfeld. Christiansfeld was built later than Bethlehem, but has many of the same components -- the simple and central church, the choir houses for men and women, God's Acre (the cemetery), the school for girls that was a novelty for …

Well – what a strange site suddenly to appear on the UK T List in Jan 22, despite its decennial overall T List review process starting in Mar 22! WHS Community members knew of course of the transnational activity on the subject of “Moravian Settlements” and that it was probably coming, but I suspect that you could be lucky to find 1 in 1000 GB citizens who has even heard of the place. It gets a mention (but no stars) in Michelin Ireland and in LP, but its UK tourism and cultural footprint rests only a trifle above zero.

In the Portrush Tourist office the lady asked where we were staying that night… “Near to Gracehill” we replied. In the subsequent exchanges it emerged that she presumed that we were referring to the ONLY “Gracehill” current in conversation! This is some place called “Gracehill House” which, the Web tells me, is “home to door 7, featuring the Three-Eyed Raven permeate and the Stark Direwolf sigil” (whatever they are!) and is situated a few miles from Portrush, close to the “Dark Hedges” (See "Gracehill golf course" to the north)……whereas “our” Gracehill was a small village situated around 20 miles further south near Ballymena. Of this she knew as little as we do of the World of “Game of Thrones” which, it appears, is a major player in NI tourism with multiple filming locations attracting visitors from around the World.

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I visited this little town in the summer of 2021 when I covered all the inscribed sites on Denmark proper and a few tentative sites. I decided to stay overnight here and rented a room in the Brødremenighedens Hotel, probably the only hotel in town. It is not cheap (as all hotels in Denmark) but it is in one of the largest historic buildings in town and features not only a restaurant (with a UNESCO-Menue!) and several historic halls. I figure you can see them also without being a guest. There were several reasons I decided to stay overnight: It fit decently with my travel route coming south from the eastern centre of Jutland (coming from Aarhus over Jelling) and, as strange as it sounds, because I knew that there was not very much to see. I hate it when I look back disappointedly at a visit to a WHS, knowing that I missed a kew element that might have improved the impression. So when I visit a while a large WHS like an inscribed city I know I needs several visits to cover all interesting parts so I have to come back anyway. On the other hand when I visit a small site I like to make sure I see all (possibly) important parts so I don't have to go home with the feeling that I should got there again to see a missed part. 

As has been mentioned by other reviewers you can mainly walk around the …

I visited the German component of the transnational extension of Christiansfeld, Denmark, during a gloomy weekend in Fall 2004. We did a trip to Upper Lusatia (Lausitz in German), the region in Germany inhabited by Sorbian Slavic minority (Upper and Lower Lusatia were parts of the Bohemian Crown in Middle Ages). One of our first stops was Herrnhut (Ochranov in Czech, Ochranow in Sorbian language). The titles in all the languages are related to "protection". While the Slavonic ones are rather literal, the German one is more poetic and it recalls a hat of the Lord, for shielding of Brethern against their enemies, probably Catholics.

Frankly said, my impression from Herrnhut was quite lukewarm, and I have almost no memories on my visit of this place. We walked through the settlement and climb the nearby hill surrounded by the cemetery, which is also mentioned in the nomination text as the special part of the complex, and with the cute arbor on the top (PHOTO: view from the hill - sorry for a bad quality, I took only 3 photos in Herrnhut, and this is the best one I have). The place is not very spectacular. My THUMB-UP is only because of the historical importance of Moravian Brethren and their settlements, so I can see the OUV there. The transnational extension makes sense in my opinion and it should substantially strengthen the OUV of the original site in Denmark.

As regards the other components, I had "near miss" of …

Starting our tour at the "Moravian Museum of Bethlehem - 1741 Gemeinhaus" we learned about the industrious and comparatively forward-thinking Moravian Community at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Our tour guide was a practicing Moravian since moving to Bethlehem in the 1970's and was happy to answer all of our questions. At the Moravian Blacksmith Shop (which is a reconstruction) a blacksmith demonstrated for visitors the process and skills of the trade during the 18th century. As we visited on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 the town was really bustling with activity, though not overly busy.

The early years of the Moravians in Bethlehem were defined by communal living. The primary purpose of the community was their missionary work. Their progressive educational system and medicinal practices became well-known and were even put to use to treat an injured Marquis de Lafayette in September 1777, who recuperated at the Sun Inn, located on Main Street just North of the Moravian Bethlehem Welcome Center. We enjoyed walking Church Street, the Moravian College grounds, God's Acre, Main Street, and the Colonial Industrial Quarter adjacent to the Monocacy Creek. We spent about 3 hours and then visited the nearby SteelStacks. 

As a transnational site, I feel the original WHS is greatly enhanced. The Historic Moravian Bethlehem District in Pennsylvania is the first historic district inscribed in the United States.

Almost 300 years ago a group of German Protestant missionaries in North America were granted land in the wooded Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, west of New York City and north of Philadelphia; on Christmas Eve of 1741, these missionaries founded the Moravian community of Bethlehem. For approximately the next century, Bethlehem was a town run by the Moravian church, operating on principles espousing communal living, hard work, and missionary outreach to local Lenape native American groups (a relationship referenced in the novels of 19th century author James Fenimore Cooper).

There is currently an effort to create a transnational World Heritage Site highlighting Moravian church settlements, with Moravian Bethlehem being added as an extension to the already inscribed Moravian settlement of Christiansfeld, in Denmark. Since I didn't know much about the Moravian church in North America, I took a road trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at the beginning of May this year in order to learn more about the Tentative World Heritage Site. There is a visitor center in downtown Bethlehem that regularly runs historical tours on weekends. Because the tour on the weekend I visited was only covering Moravian Bethlehem's colonial industrial quarter, the visitor center helped me arrange for a personal tour with a guide to learn more about the history of the Moravians in Bethlehem.

The tour started off in the Goundie House adjacent to the visitor center, which offered an eye- opening introduction to the role the Moravian church played in 18th and 19th century Bethlehem. …

I wasn’t meant to visit Christiansfeld on the day that I went as I only planned on seeing the Jelling Mounds, but as I had a lot of time to spare anyway I just jumped on a couple of busses and went.

There was nothing truly remarkable about the town, but it did feel like I had taken a little step back in history (maybe a couple of hundred years). But the lack of information boards, visitor centres or even a timetable at the church were definitely let downs. I was lucky enough to find a random guy in the street who strangely enough had the key for the building to let me in and around, but not everyone will be this lucky! 

The graveyard was probably the most fascinating thing to me, and as it seemed like they were doing it up when I went I’m sure it’ll be even better when/if you visit! I do think this site would have been better if shared with other similar places around the world, and am surprised that it got WHS status alone.

If you do decide to visit this part of Denmark you can easily do both this, and the Jelling Mound in the same day, but probably come here first to ensure you get let into the building. 

July 2019 - after visiting family in Hamburg, we decided to travel through Jütland to see the 2 mainland WHS in Denmark. We had visited Herrnhut, and we do have a Herrnhuter Star hanging in our flat around Christmas. But we did not know about the significance of the religious group. Arriving in Christiansfeld you see an old, cozy village with brickhouses and Malves blooming in front. Very nice, but we were here a bit too early so all we could do is get some Tyrstrup from the local bakery and wander around the few streets, visit the cemetary and enjoy the weather. Definitely worth a stop, however a joined WHS with other Moravian settlements would make more sense.

When I went to Bethlehem, USA (Pennsylvania) this summer I wasn't sure what to expect. A colonial quarter from the 18th century. There is a parking lot right next to the "entrance" below the bridge. Everything is free. The houses are in decent condition but can only be seen from the outside as far as I know. Maybe there are special days to visit them. It is nice to see how the buildings form a village: a dye house, butchery and so on. Those, however, are very often found in Europe and in fact this site is aiming as a transnational extension to Christiansfeld in Denmark. Having the same over in the States is unfortunately nowhere near special in my opinion, and I don't find that unique enough. I wasn't a fan of the Danish town but it was at least a living town, not these abandoned buildings. A national treasure maybe but even then I'm not very sure. The place had zero visitors when I was there and doesn't seem very keen on attracting any. FYI this is 2h from NYC by car.

An aspect of Christiansfeld is that it must be one of the most northern cities in Germany for about 55 years. After the war Germany-Denmark 1864, the border was placed some kilometers north of Christiansfeld. (The German land survey marker still stands in a dike along the old highway.) Then, after 1 world war, the referendum about new border Denmark-Germany took C. back to Denmark. This border from 1920 still is in place and we can study the further aspects in the new WHS Hedeby and Danevirke in Germany.

Visited Christiansfeld during weekend tour from Copenhagen in September 2017. I liked this quit unusual city and the whole story behind Moravian church.

The most imppressive site for me was also cemetery with the funeral plates that haven't changed in the last 200 years.

Also central church with minimum decorations and white benches looks like discussion hall rather then ritual place.

It's not a stunning place, but I certainly felt something special about this community. The core is quite small and it would take an hour to explore everyting. I also visited Christinero, a small park within several kilometers from Christiansfeld. This is romantic getaway place for the wife of the chamberlain Christina Frederica von Holstein (1741-1812). Several original buildings, uncluding Chapel and Pavilion are preserved in the park.

I visited this WHS in July 2016. I drove to this small town from Stevns Klint and without noticing I had parked just in front of the main square and Moravian church. Visiting on a weekday meant that the town was less of a tourist museum when compared to the weekend. The town planning is intact and although there is a heritage trail marking around 27 sites to see, 25 of these sites are practically one next to the other on two parallel roads so it is very easy to visit. The main church facade is quite plain in line with the Moravian way of life. The rear of the church is covered in wood like other interesting dwellings nearby. I kept going round in circles trying to find this interesting feature (Els' photo) only to find out that on weekdays it is used as a kindergarten/school playground. There's even a metal goal post attached to it! The plain white interior is being refurbished at the moment and will not be accessible at least till the end of November this year. Perhaps this is why I preferred the quiet Tyrstrup Church. I wandered around the heritage trail and strangely enough the real highlight of my visit was the Moravian cemetery also known as God's Field. The cemetary is built in the shape of a cross and is lined with tall lime trees. What struck me most was that there were no family burial places. Women or community sisters are buried …

Whilst pleasant there isn't a huge amount to see in Christiansfeld. I actually drove through the main sights without noticing, eventually parking on what I thought to be a well maintained back street garden only to find that it was actually the central square.

Some surprisingly sleety drizzle pushed me in the direction of the recently refurbished museum. It seemed some sort of local meeting had just finished, and the well-dressed inhabitants were discussing the events whilst I perused the exhibits, which gave me as thorough a rundown of the town’s importance as I needed. I also discovered that the main church was closed for a long term renovation.

Then I headed out to tour the town, about 10 minutes later I was back on the same square having seen pretty much everything in the inscribed area. There was a pleasant tree lined path leading to the well planned cemetery, and some well-maintained houses and that was about it, well for this non-specialist anyway. Perhaps a guided tour could explain some of the details of the town plan that reflect the Moravian Brethren a little more.

I had however saved the best for last. Apparently the town has a famous contribution to Danish cuisine, Honnigkage (honey cake), it was news to me but it was a very welcome addition to my travel diet. There were two shops opposite each other selling it. I plumped for the one that also sold expensive chocolates, it was utterly delicious. Much to my …

In southern Denmark lies a small town where in 1773 the Protestant Herrnhutter started a new church community. Their town plan and characteristic light brick houses have been preserved until today. It is a quiet place where linden trees line the streets on both sides, and where the huge wooden Moravian Church is still the focal point. Christiansfeld a Moravian Settlement is one of no less than three Danish nominations for 2015

The Herrnhutter or Moravian Brethren are a Protestant denomination originating from Bohemia, whose members settled in Saxony (now Germany) after being persecuted in the Catholic Habsburg lands. There they established a new village called Herrnhut, and from that place, they started the first large-scale Protestant missionary movement. They sent their missionaries to all parts of the world. Denmark (or more accurately: the Dano-Norwegian Empire of that period) was one of the first places they went to.

Christiansfeld is an easy site to visit on the way between the Jelling WHS and the Hamburg Speicherstadt TWHS, and well worth a short stop. I was there in April 2013 and I walked Christianfeld’s picturesque main streets for about half an hour. It’s a small town that has preserved its planned layout and original architecture well. The straight roads still are lined with rows of linden. The sturdy houses are made of light-coloured bricks. The building style is very sober, in accordance with Moravian principles. The undoubted highlight of the town is the huge wooden Moravian Church, located at …