[Denmark World Heritage] Roskilde Cathedral | A museum of magnificent coffins where kings sleep!

About 20–30 minutes by train from Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, lies the city of Roskilde. This city is located at the innermost point of a fjord on Zealand Island, where Copenhagen is also situated, and is considered one of the oldest towns in Denmark.

At the heart of Roskilde stands the UNESCO World Heritage site, Roskilde Cathedral. Registered as a World Heritage site in 1995, it is the only surviving cathedral on Zealand Island and is said to be a church of great importance in Danish history. Let’s explore the highlights of the World Heritage Roskilde Cathedral and how to get there.

What is Roskilde Cathedral?

Roskilde Cathedral is a grand church combining Romanesque and Gothic styles. It is said to be the first large cathedral built after the formation of the Danish nation.

Due to expansions and renovations over a century, various architectural styles can be seen throughout, which adds to its charm. The exterior is made of brick, and its distinctive spires, reaching about 75 meters high, create an imposing and dignified presence.

Since the 15th century, Danish kings and queens have been buried in Roskilde Cathedral. Today, 40 members of the royal family, including kings and queens, rest quietly in stone coffins. The coffins are so magnificent that they are said to be more like places of rest than graves. Seeing the coffins inside the cathedral will surely amaze you with their beauty.

Access to Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Station is about 20 minutes from Copenhagen by express train. From Copenhagen Airport, you can take an InterCity train directly to Roskilde Station in about 40 minutes.

From the station to the cathedral, it takes about 9 minutes by bus, but it’s also about a 15-minute walk, making it pleasant to go on foot while sightseeing around the city.

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Roskilde Cathedral Highlight ①: Magnificent Coffins

One of the most surprising things when visiting Denmark’s World Heritage Roskilde Cathedral is the sheer number of coffins. Around 40 former Danish monarchs and royals rest here, with 17 of them placed in lavishly decorated marble or stone coffins.

From the stone coffin of Queen Margrethe I of Scandinavia to many others adorned with exquisite carvings, each is truly impressive. The designs vary, and some coffins appear more like sculptural artworks than burial caskets.

Among them is the coffin of Christian IV, a monarch so admired that he was called the “Architect King.” With so many coffins, the cathedral is sometimes referred to as a “museum of coffins.” If you visit Denmark, it’s highly recommended to spend enough time to see this magnificent World Heritage site. The cathedral’s interior is quiet, solemn, and fitting for a World Heritage designation.

Roskilde Cathedral Highlight ②: Beautiful Interior

The charm of Denmark’s World Heritage Roskilde Cathedral is not limited to its stone coffins. The white-based interior is another major highlight. In addition, the golden altar, high ceilings, deep corridors, and intricately crafted window lattices all contribute to the grandeur worthy of Denmark’s representative World Heritage site. The splendid wall paintings around the coffins and decorative ceiling art near the skylights are also unmissable. The solemn sound of the pipe organ resonating throughout the church is beautiful as well.

The gleaming golden altar, in particular, is fitting for the resting place of Danish kings, with a luxurious design. Experience the majesty found in no other World Heritage site.

◎ Summary of Denmark’s World Heritage “Roskilde Cathedral”

We have introduced the highlights of Denmark’s World Heritage “Roskilde Cathedral.” There are still many more spots worth seeing. Inside the cathedral, there are several chapels, each with a different design, so pay attention to those as well.

On the second floor of the cathedral, there is also a small museum. It takes about 1–2 hours to see everything thoroughly, so it’s best to set aside plenty of time for your visit.

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[Denmark World Heritage] Roskilde Cathedral | A museum of magnificent coffins where kings sleep!