Robson Baltic Vacation

Baltic Cruise and Copenhagen May 2015 | Denmark

Baltic Cruise and Copenhagen May 2015

Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque architectural design. The Cathedral was Scandinavia's first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick - which encouraged the spread of this style throughout most of Europe. The cornerstones of this splendid twin-spired cathedral was laid by Bishop Absalon – who was the founder of Copenhagen - started the building of the present Cathedral in red bricks around 1170. Since then - various porches and chapels have been added to the main building with different architectural designs representing the best of Danish architecture for more than 800 years and demonstrating the European religious architecture too. Three million fired clay bricks were used to construct Roskilde Cathedral. Since the 1536 - and after the protestant reformation - Roskilde Cathedral has been the mausoleum and burial place for 40 Danish Kings and Queens.

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Roskilde Cathedral (Danish: Roskilde Domkirke), in the city of Roskilde on the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in eastern Denmark, is a cathedral of the Lutheran Church of Denmark.

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The first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick, it encouraged the spread of the Brick Gothic style throughout Northern Europe. Constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque architectural features in its design. Until the 20th century, it was Zealand's only cathedral. Its twin spires dominate the skyline of the town.

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Constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque architectural features in its design. Until the 20th century, it was Zealand's only cathedral. Its twin spires dominate the skyline of the town.

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The cathedral has been the main burial site for Danish monarchs since the 15th century. As such, it has been significantly extended and altered over the centuries to accommodate a considerable number of burial chapels. Following the Danish Reformation in 1536, the bishop's residence was moved to Copenhagen while the title was changed to Bishop of Zealand. Coronations normally took place in Copenhagen's Church of Our Lady or in the chapel of Frederiksborg Palace.

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Frederick IX's Burial Site - Opened on September 23, 1985, it was the first burial site outside of the cathedral itself. The reason for the construction was twofold: it had been Frederick IX's wish to be buried outside the cathedral, in view of Roskilde Fjord (the King was a keen sailor and closely connected to the navy). The burial site consists of a simple, uncovered brick octagon with a bronze gate . The gravestone was cut from Greenlandic granite and engraved with an anchor.