Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (Danish ago Frelsers Kirke ) is a baroque church in the Danish capital Copenhagen. She is especially known for the corkscrew- shaped tower and its carillon.
History and Legend
The church is located in the Christianshavn district on the island of Amager. A church was located since 1639 temporarily at this point. The construction of the present church dates from Lambert van Haven and was from 1689th At the time of consecration ( 1695), the tower was not built. The present altar was installed in 1732, the tower from 1747 under King Frederick V. planned again. For the draft, which was approved in 1749 by the king, Lauritz de Thurah was responsible. The completion of the tower took place in 1752.
According to legend, the architect fell from the tower, when he realized that the tower in the wrong direction rotates ( counter-clockwise). Nevertheless, there is no indication in the documents that de Thurah would have been dissatisfied with his work. There is also evidence that he died only seven years after the completion of the tower.
Architecture
The plan of the church is based on a Greek cross. The walls of the church, which is located in Dutch Baroque, standing on a granite monument and are tiled with irregular red and yellow tiles. The facade is divided by pilasters, which are as high as the actual building. Meanwhile, bases and capitals are made of sandstone, as well as the cornice and frieze. The western main entrance also consists of a sandstone portal. In the church there are two crypts.
Interior
The altar is made by Nicodemus Tessin and is considered the masterpiece. It shows scenes from the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is comforted by an angel, while another angel brings him a cup. The altar is flanked by two allegorical figures ( Pietas and Justitia ).
Altar detail
Pulpit
Font
Look in the aisle
Organ
The over three floors extending organ with the monogram of King Christian V was built by the Bolzano - brothers in the period 1698-1700. The organ case is elaborately designed and very detailed. The organ is supported by two elephants.
Wearing Elephant
Detailed brochure
The instrument has 59 stops itself ( 4,000 pipes ) on four manuals and pedal. There are ( supposedly) still has the same sound as before over 300 years. Finally, the organ was rebuilt in 1965, with older pipes came back for use. The body of the organ is made of wood, the pipes are partly still in original condition.
Tower
The 36 -meter-high black - golden tower rises three stories beyond the western arm of the church. It is bordered by a railing, each level is marked with sandstone. Can get around the 90 m high tower to ascend counterclockwise. The inspiration of the Tower of the Church of Rome Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, which has an equally twisted tower. 150 Of the total 400 steps run on the outside of the tip along. At the transition of the stairs from the inside out are representations of the four evangelists. The railing is made of gilded iron. The top is crowned by a globe with 2.5 meters in diameter and two meters high character who carries the banner. This is also called the ugliest sculpture in Copenhagen, since the proportions of the figure are not proportionate.
From the top you can enjoy a nearly complete view of Copenhagen.
Carillon
In the tower is a carillon of 1928, which was last restored in 1980 and consists of 48 bronze bells. The most severe of these bells weighs 2000 kg, the lightest just 10 kg. Overall, the largest carillon of Northern Europe weighs 12 tons and plays every hour on the hour from 8 to 24 clock and clock. The six largest bells are located inside of the bell tower, the other 42 bells in the lantern. The bells of the carillon were all cast at the Dutch company Petit & Fritsen. It was mainly financed by donations, because after the crash of the carillon in Copenhagen Frauendom 1807 only one in Denmark existed ( Frederiksborg Castle ).