Religious, Spiritual sights in Denmark
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Tilsandede Kirke
The Tilsandede Kirke, or Buried Church, was erected during the late 14th century and was once the biggest church in the region, but in time it fell victim to a sand drift that began in the 17th century and became progressively worse - so much so that churchgoers eventually had to dig their way into God's sacred building. In 1795 the relentless sand drift broke the will of the congregation and the church was closed by royal decree.
The main part of the church was torn down in 1810 but the whitewashed tower still stands. It was used as a navigational tool for sailors back in the early days.
reviewed
-
A
Sankt Mariæ Kirke
The medieval church of Sankt Mariæ Kirke contains some spiffy 15th-century frescoes. Alongside standard biblical scenes are bizarre faces from whose mouths spring frogs, foxes, bulls and rams; while in the southern aisle pipers and lute players burst from giant flowers. There’s also an ornate rococo gallery and a 17th-century organ played by Dieterich Buxtehude (1637–1707), a Baroque composer who greatly influenced Bach; frequent organ concerts are attended by aficionados.
reviewed
-
B
Christiansborg Slotskirke
Tragedy struck CF Hansen’s dignified neoclassical church (dating from 1826), next door to the parliament, on the day of the Copenhagen Carnival, 1992. A stray firework hit the scaffolding that had surrounded the church during a lengthy restoration and set the roof ablaze, destroying the dome. Miraculously, a remarkable frieze by Bertel Thorvaldsen that rings the ceiling just below the dome survived. The restorers went back to work and the church was reopened in January 1997.
reviewed
-
C
Sankt Olai Kirke
Surrounded by lime trees, Sankt Olai Kirke is a handsome red-brick Gothic cathedral built in 1559. Unusual features include an over-the-top white-and-gold altarpiece (one of Denmark’s largest at 12m high), an ominous black stone slab where the names of wrong-doers were written, and, wedged in an archway, an English cannonball fired on route to the Battle of Copenhagen (1801).
reviewed
-
D
St Catharine’s Church
Founded by Spanish Black Friars in 1228, St Catharine’s Church was originally built on reclaimed marshland, but it eventually collapsed. The present structure dates from the 15th century. Of the 13 churches built during the pre-Reformation period in Ribe, Sankt Catharinæ Kirke and Ribe Domkirke are the only survivors.
reviewed
-
E
Ribe Cathedral
Dominating Ribe’s skyline is the impressive and historic Ribe Cathedral, which dates back to 948 – making it the oldest in Denmark. The cathedral was largely rebuilt in 1150 when Ribe was at the heart of royal and government money, which in turn paved the way for some fine architectural structures.
reviewed
-
F
Helligåndskirken
The Church of the Holy Spirit, located opposite clothing store H&M, dates from the 15th century and sits on the site of an even older monastery founded in the 13th century. It often hosts secondhand book sales.
reviewed
-
G
Christians Kirke
Nicolai Eigtved’s theatre-like church was completed in 1759. This is a frequent venue for classical music recitals (leaflets at the entrance to the church provide details).
reviewed
-
H
Sankt Knuds Kirke
Odense’s imposing 14th-century Gothic cathedral Sankt Knuds Kirke reflects the city’s medieval wealth and stature.
reviewed
