⛪ Church of Our Saviour (Copenhagen)

About This Sacred Site

The Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke) in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a Baroque church completed in 1695. It is renowned for its distinctive corkscrew-shaped external spire, which offers panoramic views of the city to visitors who climb its 400-step staircase. The church’s interior is richly decorated with gilded woodwork and houses a famous carillon from the 18th century. Serving the Christianshavn district, it has historically played a central role in local religious life. The spire’s unique architecture and the church’s acoustics have made it a popular venue for concerts and ceremonies, underpinning its cultural as well as spiritual significance.

History & Origins

Completed in 1695 under the direction of architect Lambert van Haven, the church was commissioned by King Christian V as a baroque place of worship in Copenhagen. The iconic external spiral spire, added in 1752 by architect Laurids de Thurah, rises to 90 meters and features a 400-step external staircase winding around its corkscrew form. The church was built on the site of an earlier chapel dating from 1670, replacing it to accommodate the growing population of Christianshavn district. In 1807, during the Battle of Copenhagen, the church suffered minor damage from British bombardment but was quickly restored. The spire's golden globe, added during the 18th century, serves as a landmark visible throughout the city. The church underwent significant interior restoration in the late 19th century, preserving its original baroque altarpiece and pulpit. It remains an active parish church within the Church of Denmark.

Spiritual Significance

As a Lutheran church, it hosts the traditional Danish liturgical calendar, including the annual Ascension Day procession ascending the spiral spire, symbolizing Christ's ascent to heaven as described in Acts 1:9-11. The external staircase allows worshippers to physically enact a pilgrimage-like ascent during certain festivals, embodying spiritual elevation. The church is the site of confirmation classes and baptismal rites emphasizing Lutheran sacraments as outlined in Martin Luther's Small Catechism. The spire's visibility throughout Copenhagen serves as a daily reminder of faith for residents, aligning with the Lutheran emphasis on faith in daily life. The church holds a special service on St. Hans Day (Midsummer Eve), incorporating bonfires and hymns, blending Christian and Nordic seasonal traditions. Clergy sermons often reference the Epistles of Paul, reinforcing doctrinal teaching central to Danish Lutheranism.

Key Facts

• •Completed in 1695, with the famous spiral spire added in 1752
• •The external spiral staircase has 400 steps winding to the top of the 90-meter spire
• •Legend says the architect Lauritz de Thurah threw himself from the top when he realized the spiral wound the wrong way — though this is apocryphal
• •The carillon of 48 bells is the largest in northern Europe
• •The ornate Baroque interior features a monumental organ and marble altar

Location

Coordinates: 55.6717, 12.5928