Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral (Danish: Roskilde Domkirke), in the city of Roskilde on the Island of Zealand (Sjaelland) in eastern Denmark was the first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick and its construction encouraged the spread of this Brick Gothic style throughout Northern Europe. It was built during the 12th and 13th centuries, and incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque architectural features in its design. It was the only cathedral in Zealand until the 20th century. The cathedral's twin spires dominate the skyline of the city.

Related Topics:
Danish - Roskilde - Zealand - Denmark - Gothic - Brick - Brick Gothic - Northern Europe - Romanesque - Cathedral

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Roskilde Cathedral's is the main burial site for Danish monarchs since the 15th Century which lead to extensive additions and alterations over time as individual rulers added multiple burial chapels. Following the Reformation in 1536, the Bishop's residence was moved to Copenhagen, and he from then on held the title Bishop of Zealand.

Related Topics:
Danish monarchs - Reformation - Bishop of Zealand

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It is a major tourist attraction attracting over 125,000 visitors annually. Since 1995 the cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Related Topics:
UNESCO - World Heritage Site

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A working church, it also hosts concerts throughout the year.

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Members of the Danish royal family entombed here are:

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• Harold I Bluetooth (987)
• Sweyn I Forkbeard (1014
• Sweyn II Estridsen (1074)
• Margaret I (1412)
• Christopher III of Bavaria (1448) and Queen Dorothy of Brandenburg (1495)
• Christian I (1481)
• Christian III (1559) and Queen Dorothy of Saxony-Lauenburg (1571)
• Frederick II (1588) and Queen Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1631)
• Christian IV (1648) and Queen Anne Catherine of Brandenburg (1612)
• Frederick III (1670)and Sophia Amelia of Brunswick-Lüneburg,(1685)
• Christian V (1699) and Queen Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (1714)
• Frederick IV (1730) and Queens: Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1721) and Anna Sophie Reventlow (1743)
• Christian VI (1746) and Queen Sophia Magdalena of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (1770)
• Frederick V (1766)and Queens: Louise of Great Britain (1751) and Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1796)
• Christian VII (1808)
• Frederick VI (1839) and Queen Marie of Hesse-Kassel (1852)
• Christian VIII (1848) and Queen Caroline Amalie of Schleswig-Holstein (1881)
• Frederick VII (1863)
• Christian IX (1906) and Queen Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1898)
• Frederick VIII (1912) and Queen Louise of Sweden-Norway (1926)
• Christian X (1947) and Queen Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1952)
• Frederick IX (1972) and Queen Ingrid of Sweden (2000)
 
Roskilde Cathedral: See also ►