Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral is a medieval brick-built cathedral in Roskilde on the island of Zealand, notable as the principal burial church of Danish kings and queens. Construction began in the 12th and 13th centuries and the building is an important early example of Gothic brick architecture in Northern Europe.

The interior houses more than forty royal tombs and a sequence of burial chapels, making the cathedral the dynastic mausoleum of Denmark. Visitors can see richly carved tomb monuments, medieval furnishings and a cathedral treasury with liturgical objects.

The cathedral was commissioned and expanded over several centuries and became the established burial church for the Danish monarchy; its form reflects changes from Romanesque to Gothic styles. It has been used continuously for royal ceremonies and ecclesiastical functions since the Middle Ages.

Located in the centre of Roskilde, the cathedral stands near Roskilde Fjord and is about 30 kilometres west of central Copenhagen, with direct rail connections from the capital.

• UNESCO status: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architecture and role as the dynastic burial place of Danish monarchs, the cathedral is best visited outside major festival days for quieter access to the chapels.

What to See #

• Royal tombs: The cathedral contains more than forty royal tombs and burial chapels housing Danish monarchs from the Middle Ages to modern times.
• Interior and treasury: The cathedral interior displays medieval frescoes, carved woodwork and a treasury with liturgical objects and royal insignia.