The city of Roskilde and other Roskilde, Denmark Things to Do Tips

Roskilde is situated in the middle of island of Zealand (Sjaelland) right at the bottom of Roskilde Fjord and 50 km from Copenhagen.

The old town has around 50,000 inhabitants and the main tourist attractions are the majestic Cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum.

Roskilde was the capital of Denmark until about 1400, when the role was transferred to Copenhagen.

Another reason of pride for Roskilde's inhabitants is given by the fact that the first railway connection was opened between Roskilde and Copenhagen in 1846 so as that Roskilde's Station is the oldest station building in Denmark.

Leave a Comment

Roskilde Cathedral was founded in 1170 and has been the burial place of the Danish royal family since the 15th century.

Incorporating both Gothic and Romanesque architectural features, this the only cathedral in Zealand until the 20th century.

Due to the number of Danish Kings and Queens buried in Roskilde cathedral, during the years the structure of the cathedral changed and numerous extentions and chapels have been added.

The Cathedral's twin spires were ordered by King Christian IV in 1635.

Roskilde Cathedral is still a parish church and therefore is used for church services and other religious ceremonies.

Entry fee: DKK 25-.

Leave a Comment

The elegant Central Nave of Roskilde Cathedral is dominated by the vaulted ceiling beautifully evidentiated by the red bricks decorations.

Leave a Comment

The Roskilde Cathedral Organ was built in 1554 by Herman Raphaelis and was restored by Marcussen in 1988-1990.

Leave a Comment

The three winged altarpiece in the Cathedral is made in Antwerp around the year 1560 and is build as a cabinet, depincts the life of Christ during the events of Easter week, and Jesus childhood.

Some of the representations are: Mary washing Christ's feet, Christ on the road to Calvary and Christ raising Lazarus from the dead.

Leave a Comment

The chancel is dominated by wonderful adorned tombs made of white marble.

This is the burial place for:

- King Frederik IV (1671-1730)
- Queen Louise (1667-1721) - 1st spouse of Frederik IV
- King Christian V (1646-1699)
- Queen Charlotte Amalia (1650-1714) child of Wilhelm VI (1629-1663) spouse of King Christian V, King of Denmark
- King Christopher (+1363)
- Queen Margrete (1353-1412)

Leave a Comment

The marvellous sarcophagus of Queen Margrete I, Queen of Denmark (1387 - 1397), is placed behind the High Altar.

Margaret I, Queen of Denmark and Norway, Regent of Sweden, was born in Vordingborg Castle, as daughter of Valdemar IV of Denmark and Helvig of Sonderjylland.

She married, at the age of ten, King Haakon VI of Norway.

Margaret died suddenly on board her ship in Flensburg harbour in 1412 and left properties to the church with the condition that Masses for her to be held regularly.

Leave a Comment

In King Christian I's Chapel are to be found the sepulchral monuments of:

- King Christian III, King of Denmark and Norway (1539 - 1559) - cenotaph
- Queen Dorothea (1511-1571) spouse of Christian III - cenotaph
- King Christian I (1426-1481)
- Queen Dorothea (1430-1495) of Brandenburg, spouse of Christian I
- King Frederik II (1534-1588) - cenotaph
- Queen Sophia (1557-1631), spouse of Frederik II - cenotaph

Leave a Comment

In King Christian IV's Chapel are the sarcophaguses of the Oldenborg line of Royalties.

Here are buried:

- King Christian IV (1577-1648) child of Frederik II (1534-1588) married in 1597 with Queen Anna of Brandenburg (1575-1612) and then in 1615 with Kirsten Munk (1598-16--)
- Queen Anna of Brandenburg (1575-1612), 1st spouse of King Christian IV
- King Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (1603-1647)
- King Frederik III of Schleswig-Holstein (1609-1670)
- Queen Sophie Amalie of Braunschweig-Luneburg (1628-1685), spouse of King Frederik III.

The bronze statue of King Christian IV is made by famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Leave a Comment

King Frederik V (1723-1766) was the child of Christian VI (1699-1746) and married in 1743 Louise, princess of Hannover and princess of England (1724-1751) and in 1752 Juliane Marie of Braunschweig-Wolfenbuttel (1729-1796).

Beside him, in the chapel wearing his name, are buried:

- Queen Louise (1724-1751), the 1st spouse of Frederik V
- Queen Juliane Marie (1729-1796), the 2nd spouse of Frederik V
- King Christian VII (1749-1808)
- King Frederik VI (1768-1839)
- Queen Marie Sophie (1767-1852), spouse of Frederik VI
- King Christian VIII (1786-1848)
- Queen Caroline Amalie (1796-1881), the 2nd spouse of Christian VIII
- Queen Louise Charlotte (1789-1864), spouse of Wilhelm (1787-1867) of Hessen-Kassel
- King Frederik VII (1808-1863)
- King Christian VI (1699-1746)
- Queen Sophia Magdalena (1700-1770), spouse of Christian VI.

Leave a Comment