Roskilde

Roskilde is a municipality (Danish, kommune) in Roskilde County 30 km west of Copenhagen on the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in east Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 81 km², and has a total population of 54,372 (2005). Its mayor is Bjørn Dahl, a member of the Venstre (Liberal Party) political party.

The city of Roskilde

Roskilde is an ancient city, and was the capital of Denmark until about 1400, when that role transferred to Copenhagen.

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The city's early importance is evident from the fact that the Roskilde Cathedral was the only cathedral in Zealand until the 20th century. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick and its construction encouraged the spread of this style throughout northern Europe. The cathedral is the burial site for Danish monarchs and is a major tourist attraction attracting over 125,000 visitors annually. Since 1995 the cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A working church, it also hosts concerts throughout the year.

Related Topics:
Roskilde Cathedral - Gothic - Europe - Danish monarchs - UNESCO - World Heritage Site

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Another attraction in the city is the Viking Ship Museum (Vikingeskibs Museet). The centrepieces of its collection are the well-preserved remains of five viking ships, excavated from nearby Roskilde Fjord in the late 1960s. The ships were scuttled there in the 11th century to block a navigation channel, thus protecting the city which was then the Danish capital, from seaborne assault. The museum also undertakes research in experimental archaeology centred on Viking shipbuilding and seaworthiness.

Related Topics:
Viking ships - Roskilde Fjord - 11th century - Experimental archaeology

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In the 20th century, Roskilde became a university city; Roskilde University (Danish: Roskilde Universitetscenter) was founded in 1972.

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Since 1971 the Roskilde Festival, a rock music festival, has been held annually on the fairgrounds near Roskilde. It has grown to become one of the biggest rock/pop festivals in Europe. The fairgrounds are also the site of regionally popular agricultural and animal exhibitions, as well as large flea markets.

Related Topics:
1971 - Roskilde Festival - Rock music - Europe

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The town boasts an expansive, central walking street (gågade) with a myriad of shops, restaurants and cafes. The Roskilde train station is a major stop between Copenhagen and the rest of the country west of the capital.

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