Church of our Saviour Copenhagen

Ever seen a spire like this? Even the indefatiguable Wren never did such a spire! The architect Lauritz de Thurah may have based it on St Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome. Completed in 1752 the King Frederick V climbed up to the top at the inauguration! There is a persistent story that poor Lauritz later committed suicide by jumping from the top because he had spoilt it by making the stairs anticlockwise.Not true! He died 7 years later in his bed!

Now I have to admit that we did not get to the top because the weather was too wet and windy. I have therefore missed out on the 400 steps (150 outside). My days of climbing towers has largely stopped but Paula was very sad not to go up. Also we never heard the carillon which is supposed to sound every hour in the day and is the largest in northern Europe. We have been into carillons ever since visiting Bergues in northern France where they filmed one of our favourite films Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis.
The church was begun in 1682 to designs by Lambert van Haven and inaugurated in 1695. However there was no spire and no permanent altar until 1732. It is in Dutch baroque style with a Greek cross layout.
I liked the huge altarpiece from 1732 by Nicodemus Tessin.  The theme is the scene in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is comforted by an angel with another angel hanging in the air beside them, carrying the golden cup.There are two figures on each side Pietas and Justitia : King Frederick V's motto. There are six angels in front of the altar : Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Michael, Jeremiel, and a large seated cherub.I did not expect such altar pieces in a Protestant (Lutheran) church. Not quite Assam brothers as at Rohr but moving neverhteless.
There is a huge organ by the Botzen brothers (1698-1700) : one of the oldest, largest and finest of the north German organ school. We didnt hear that either! This massive organ case rests on two huge elephants, the symbol of monarchy and the Order of the Elephant.
I think we should return!

Lauritz de Thurah' spire - sometimes called "Heavenly Ladder"

The approach

Overall view of Tessin's altar

Raphael with sword     and guardian of the Tree of Life

Gabriel with live branch - symbol of life

Uriel with lamp -symbol of vigilance

Michel with helmet and trumpet symbol of head of Heavenly host

Jeremiel with book symbol of Bpook of Life

Cherub with book and guilded sword

Organ resting on elephants!

Close-up of the altar