Just a 20 minute train ride from central Copenhagen is the city of Roskilde, Zealand’s second largest city and home to a wealth of Viking and Christian history. Located at the tip of Roskilde Fjord, the city is well known for its magnificent Cathedral, its Viking heritage, and its yearly music festival. Here are some things you can do when you visit this historic Danish city.
Visit Roskilde Cathedral
The impressive Domkirke (or cathedral) dominates the skyline of the city. Built in 1170, it serves as a mausoleum for Danish kings and queens. Excavations on the cathedral reveal that building began in 1000 A.D. and finished in around 1410. A succession of chapels and porches were added to the building over the centuries to house its expanding collection of royal remains, and this expansion continues. In 2000, a mausoleum was built outside the church for Queen Ingrid, the mother of the current Queen Margrethe.
The most impressive of the royal tombs belongs to King Christian IV and was built in 1641 in the Dutch Renaissance style. The cathedral also houses a striking gold altarpiece, built in Antwerp in 1560, and a much-loved clock depicting George and the Dragon.
In 1995, Roskilde Domkirke was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of three in Denmark, the others being the Jelling Monuments in Jutland and Kronborg Castle in Helsingør. The cathedral is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sundays from 12.30 pm to 5.00 pm from April to September. From October to March, the cathedral is closed Mondays and is open from Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and Sundays from 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm. The entrance fee is 60 kroner for adults, 20 kroner for children and 40 kroner for students and pensioners.
Visit the Viking Ship Museum
In 1962, the remains of five Viking ships were discovered at the mouth of Roskilde Fjord. The Vikingeskibshallen, or Viking Ship Museum, tells the story of how these were discovered and restored. The Viking Ship Museum displays the results of this meticulous restoration process, which include a warship and an impressive long ship which was capable of carrying 40-50 men on long range raiding missions.
It is believed that the ships were deliberately sunk in the 11th century to block the fjord from an invading enemy. The museum runs a short film describing the history of the ships and the restoration process. The museum also encompasses a large outdoor section and a modern Viking ship, built in the traditional manner.
The museum also has a restaurant where those who wish to sample the Viking’s favourite drink, mjød (mead), are invited to do so for a price.
The Viking Ship Museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm during the summer and from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in the off season. Admission is 100 kroner for adults, 80 kroner for students and free for children. Fees are less during the winter months.
Take a Boat Trip around Roskilde Fjord
The M/S Sagafjorde was originally built in 1957 as a car ferry. For the past 22 years, however, it has been taking visitors on tours around Roskilde Fjord whilst serving them food and drink in its elegant restaurant.
Trips around the Fjord can last from one and a half to three hours, depending on which tour you choose. A lunch tour includes a traditional Danish lunch, while a ‘coffee and cake’ tour is a shorter and cheaper alternative. A dinner tour is more elaborate with either an a la carte or buffet menu. Corporate packages are available and special events like birthdays and weddings are also catered for.
The Sagafjorde sails from April to October. Prices and schedules vary throughout the summer months. You can book reservations by ringing 46 75 64 60 or 22 31 30 00.
Experience the Roskilde Music Festival
If you time your visit to Roskilde right, you may be able to experience Northern Europe’s biggest music festival. The first Roskilde Festival was held in 1971 and, over the years, the festival has headlined international acts such as Bob Marley, Iggy Pop, Radiohead and Metallica. Thousands of young people from Denmark and Northern Europe flock to Roskilde to camp out and party during the four day summer festival.
The concert features seven stages to accommodate the massive numbers of bands performing. Roskilde 2011 was held from 30 June to 3 July and headlined the Arctic Monkeys and Iron Maiden. Tickets for the 2012 festival have yet to go on sale as of this writing, but do tend to sell out very quickly. You can find out more about the Roskilde Festival at their official website (below)
Take a Walking Tour of the Town and its Churches
For a cheaper alternative to the above, you can take a tour of the many churches around Roskilde Cathedral and the town centre. The town is very picturesque and perfect for walking on a warm spring or summer day. Churches and monasteries are located close to the cathedral and, although some have been torn down, others still exist.
Among the churches on the tour are the Romanesque St Ib’s Church, St Laurentius’ Church with its unique brick mosaic floor and St Jørgensbjerg Church, all dating from the 12th century. You can also see the Roskilde Adelige Jomfrukloster, a ‘collegiate foundation for unmarried women of noble birth’, as well as several monasteries. Maps of this walking tour are available at the cathedral and the tourist information centre.
After your walking tour, you can explore Roskilde town centre, which has a pedestrian walking street lined with many shops, cafes and restaurants.
Roskilde is a unique city with its early Viking and Christian history. Its close location to Copenhagen makes it a perfect day out for visitors to the Danish capital.
Sources and Further Information
- Roskilde Domkirke official website
- Viking Ship Museum official website
- M/S Sagafjorde official website
- Roskilde Festival official website
- Visit Roskilde website
Beth MacMillan - Beth MacMillan fulfilled her dream of living and traveling in Europe when she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Denmark in 2001 for ...
