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Helligåndskirken
The
Church of the Holy Ghost is one of the oldest
churches in Copenhagen and situated on the pedestrian street
“Strøget” and close to
Amagertorv. Some of the church buildings are more than 500
years old and once the church served as a monastery
with its own hospital.
The
earlier Gothic church was built in the thirteenth
century and the last church was built 1878-81
on the old foundations in Renaissance style, replacing the
Baroque church that was built after the fire of Copenhagen
in 1728.
| Painting
of Copenhageners on a winter day at Amagertorv from
1912 by Paul Fischer, with the Church of the Holy
Ghost in the background and the horse driven tram
car from Frederiksberg Lines in the crowd. |
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| Legendary
painting from 1850 by David Mimiers of soldiers
returning from the Three Years' War in 1849 between
Denmark and northern Germany, at the entrance
of the Church of the Holy Ghost.
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Portal
and Tower
The
impressive portal in genuine Renaissance style is
the oldest part of the present church and was a gift from
King Christian IV (1577-1648 – ruled Denmark
and Norway 1588-1648) in 1630. The church tower
is a reconstruction from 1582 and completed
around 1880.
| The
impressive portal in genuine Renaissance style from
1630 with the monogram of King Christian IV. See
also top photo. |
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| The
decoration on the wooden doors are carved with symbols
from the holy Bible and is the original access to
the church from 1630. |
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The
Monastery and Hospital
The
monastery was built in the late 15th century beside
the church with a Gothic wing and known as “Helligåndshuset”
(House of Holy Sprit), which makes it the most large medieval
building in Copenhagen and the only building around
the church complex that survived the great fires of the city
in 1728.
For several years the monastery functioned as a hospital after
the reformation in 1536, until a new hospital
was taken into function at Vartorv in 1607,
when the great plague razed Copenhagen with many casualties.
The Buildings were then used as a city prison and reformatory.
| The
Baroque altar piece from 1727, with the painting
of the Ascension and the marble font from 1827 by
sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. |
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| The
75-stop organ from Marcussen & Son at the Holy
Ghost Church stems from 1877, and rebuilt several
times, last in 1977. |
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The
Church building and interior
The church is constructed as a three-aisled basilica under a
single roof. The pulpit is from 1879 and the
Baroque altar piece with the painting of the Ascension is from
1727. The marble font was made in 1827 by famous
great Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844).
Cultural
events
Beside normal church services the facilities is a gathering
point for many concerts and related cultural activities.
Location
The Church of The Holy Ghost is located
in the medieval part of Copenhagen and right on the pedestrian
Street “Strøget” and just 10 minutes of
walk from the Town Hall Square. The Church is just a few blocks
away from Amager Torv (Amager Square) and Christiansborg Palace.
The
Church of The Holy Ghost
Address
Helligåndskirken
The Church Of The Holy Spirit
(Mediaeval Church)
Niels Hemmingsens Gade 5
1153 Copenhagen
K |
The
Church of The Holy Ghost
(Helligåndskirken) |
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