Copenhagen is full of surprises. I had come across pictures of the Amalienburg Palace, home of the Danish Royal family. Here we were in October 2018 in the palace square surrounded by impressive pavilions but what was this church with a huge dome?
In the 18th century King Frederick V of Denmark wanted to celebrate 300 years of rule by his family by creating a new district in his capital. A huge domed church was to be the centrepiece. This was the Frederikskirke or Marmorkirken (Marble Church). Designed in 1740 by Nikolain Eigtved and modified by the French architect Nicolas Henri Jardin, it was begun in 1749. The imported marble proved too expensive and the building stopped by 1770. It seems to have become a white elephant after that and even ruinous.
Therefore it was fortunate that Carl Frederik Tietgen, a wealthy industrialist and financier was able to buy the site on condition that he built the church in a similar style to the original plans. Ferdinand Meldahl was responsible for the final design and this included using less marble and more limestone - hence cutting costs.It was finally completed in 1894. THe dome is 31 meters across and one of the largest in Europe. There are 260 steps for the view : I have given up on going up every tower we see so this was a view missed!
There are attractive frescos inside by Danish artists and statues of Danish saints outside. It is an Evangelical Lutheran church and I would like to have heard the organ in that acoustic but Roskilde was the place I had to visit for Sunday worship.
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