Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen)
The Copenhagen Church of Our Lady (Danish: Vor Frue Kirke or Frue Kirke [ fʀu ː ə kiʀgə ] ), referred to as the Cathedral of Copenhagen bishop as a cathedral of Copenhagen, is a neo-classical church building in the capital of Denmark.
At the location of the building, the Vor Frue Plads adjacent to the Nørregade to which also the main building of the University of Copenhagen, following religious buildings from the Middle Ages to each other have been built, but they were each destroyed. The present church, completed in 1829, owes its appearance to the architect Christian Frederik Hansen.
- 3.1 External links
- 3.2 Notes and references
History
Middle Ages: Religious center and the coronation church
Even for the time of Bishop Absalon is a small local church detectable. However, a new building was necessary for the dramatic increase in the importance of Copenhagen. In the 1180ern started construction work, which was completed in 1209 with the blessing of the limestone pit at that time the highest point of the urban area by Absalon's successor Peder Sunesen. The new church was dedicated to Saint Mary. The probable date of the solemnity of the Annunciation, is celebrated to this day as the anniversary of the church.
In the Diocese of Roskilde, the new church enjoyed a status that hardly back behind the importance of Roskilde Cathedral itself. Accordingly, a large number of clerical staff at the Copenhagen Church was present, and the attached seminar housed the University at its inception in 1479, before they got their own premises. The first university chancellor was the dean of the cathedral in personal union.
The church was damaged by an early morning fire first so that they had to be built from scratch: After the fire of 1314, a new building of a more durable material, bricks originated.
1363 could here the marriage of Margaret I. King Haakon VI with the Norwegians. be celebrated. In the following centuries the Frauenkirche served as the coronation church of the Norwegian-Danish monarchs ( 1449, 1536, 1559, 1596, 1648).
Reformation: bastion of Catholicism and the center of Protestantism
At Christmas in 1530 outraged citizens stormed the church, which was viewed as a bastion of Catholicism in the midst of the propagating Protestantism. There was property damage. 1536 the Frauenkirche was converted into two ceremonies at a church of the Lutheran faith. The ceremony initiated with Johannes Bugenhagen, a companion of Martin Luther. Bugenhagen was also the consecrated three years later, two new bishops in the Church.
1568 was defined by disputes over the liturgy that the celebrations in the cathedral model and measure of all services should be in the young Protestant Church of Denmark.
Ravages in the Napoleonic Wars
In the great fire of 1728, the flames destroyed the building, as well as many other valuable cultural monuments in Copenhagen, including five churches. Although the Frauenkirche was restored in less than ten years, but the successor building should not be granted Durability: During an attack of the British fleet in 1807, the tower suffered a hit from a rocket Congrevesche. He rushed to the building, which burned down then.
Modern era: New direction in the classical style
Then was the famous architect Christian Frederik Hansen, who was also responsible for the construction of the Magistrate building very close, with responsibility for new construction. The Frauenkirche was the first church that was restored after the devastation of the war.
When planning Hansen moved the remains of an earlier building with as building materials and funds in the defeated Denmark were scarce. Instead of rebuilding a brand new house of worship in the Greco- Roman-inspired "modern style " was built. 1817 was laid by King Frederick VI. the foundation, and at Pentecost in 1829, the building was completed and his destiny was passed.
As for the Danish state ever followed a golden age for the church life locally. Here preached the Bishop Jacob Peter Mynster, here Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse and Emil Hartmann act as organist.
In the major city church the funerals of some famous Danes were committed, including Bertel Thorvaldsen (1844 ), Hans Christian Andersen ( 1875) and Søren Kierkegaard (1855 ). The latter had been a frequent visitor to the Eucharistic celebrations in the Frauenkirche also during his lifetime.
Since 1924 the diocese was divided Zealand, the church received its status as the Cathedral of Copenhagen.
Recent history
1977/78, the Frauenkirche was completely renovated and restored by the removal of extensions and alterations of the first 150 years in their original simplicity. In 1995 she received a new main and 2002, a choir organ.
The Cathedral also serves as the venue for special ceremonies. This includes the church celebrations of the royal family. Here were married on 14 May 2004 Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson. In most time, the house, however, continues to serve the Church's life in the form of a religious service. The morning service is transferred daily from Danmarks Radio in broadcasting and the Internet (see links).
The church building: Hansen sacral
The present building is considered alongside other buildings of the architects who emerged at the same time, as an excellent example of the Golden Age of Danish Classicism. Characteristic features are the imposing columns and the strict simplicity of the composition. It has a length of 83 m and a width of 33 m.
The tower reaches 60 meters, he supports a flat roof. The great tocsin ( Stormklokken ) weighs 4 tons and is the largest in the country. The smallest of the four bells of the tower is the oldest of the church; it dates from 1490th
Under the tower, a portico spans the main entrance. The Pediment of resembling ancient idols structure supports representations of Jesus and his Apostles - a topic that takes up the space again. The nave has a length of 60 m and is 25 m high. Left and right of cause transitions in the aisles to the outer wall along, of which the banks are to reach the side of the nave. About this there are galleries with more pews. Overall, the church provides space for more than 1,100 people.
The church is comparatively economical equipped with images. Important are the larger than life marble statues of the twelve Apostles along the walls of the nave and the figure of Christ in the apse. They were created by Bertel Thorvaldsen, who was excited about this sculpture by Peter von Cornelius painting the wise and the foolish virgins. A bronze copy of the statue stands in front of the Church of Peace in Potsdam. A zinc die casting of Thorvaldsen's baptismal from the Frauenkirche is in Gütersloh Martin Luther Church. Bertel Thorvaldsen bust out of hand, Herman Wilhelm bite is in an aisle.
The Blessing Christ, iconography that time a novelty in the 19th century was one of the most copied statues in Europe and is particularly popular in cemeteries.
In the aisles also hang portraits of various clergyman, who worked at the church.