The west end of the church and its round tower, both in limestone, were probably built in the 12th century at the same time as nearby Bollerup Castle.

Svenson after being limewashed for centuries, the murals were painted in 1476 when Barbara Brahe returned from Rome with King Christian I after an audience with Pope Sixtus IV.

The inscription reads (translated): "In the year AD 1476 the honourable lady Barbara Brahe and her son Oluf Stigsen had this whole church restored, bells hung in the tower and the interior decorated and bought a new Bible and prayer book.

The work of the unknown artist, possibly brought back from Italy by Barbara Brahe, is unlike other murals in the area.

[1] The murals also depict Christ seated on a rainbow, Mary, John the Baptist with angels and the dead rising from the grave.