With its iconic corkscrew-style spire towering above the city and a huge system of bells, this iconic church, steeped in history, is well worth a visit.
This wonderful church with its Baroque architecture and iconic corkscrew spire can be seen across the city. The details of its design both inside and outside are equally fascinating and the huge church organ, which is still in use, has a magnificent sound that more than lives up to its dramatic surroundings.
One of the oldest buildings in the city, the Church of Our Saviour or Vor Frelsers Kirke was designed by the architect Lambert Van Haven and built in the 1680s. Its architecture continues to draw visitors from all over the country and the rest of the world. Inside, it boasts a Roman-style altar depicting Jesus and his disciples, as well as the magnificent church organ, all under a 36-metre high ceiling.
A regular restoration and maintenance programme keeps the building in a good state of repair. Likewise, the organ has been well maintained and can be heard during mass. The high ceilings also lend the building a remarkable acoustic quality.
Once you have taken in the architecture and wandered through the church’s interior, it is time to venture up the spire. This isn’t for the faint hearted as the wooden staircase not only gets narrower the higher you climb but also sways slightly in the wind! You will see that the church bells are made up of some 42 individual bells making it the largest system in Europe. They can be heard ringing out across the city at weekends. Once you reach the top of the spire, you will be rewarded with an unrivalled panoramic view of the city.
Situated in Christianshavn to the south of the city centre, the Church of Our Saviour is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle (thanks to an excellent network of cycle lanes). Walking from the city centre takes around 20 minutes. There is metered parking available and the Christianshavn Metro station is nearby. The Church of Our Saviour is open daily. Entrance to the church is free although there is a fee payable to climb the spire.
