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Our Saviour s Church — Church tower rising above the yellow buildings on the surrounding streetPhoto: John Samuel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
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Our Saviour s Church

Churches & cathedrals ·Copenhagen
4.616.1K
#2Churches & cathedrals in Denmark#2Churches & cathedrals in CopenhagenTravelers' Choice 2026
  • from DKK 69
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About

Our Saviour's Church (Vor Frelsers Kirke): a baroque parish church in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, known for its spiral spire and outside staircase.

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Our Saviour s Church — The church’s ornate spiral tower photographed from below Acediscovery · CC BY 4.0 · edited
Our Saviour s Church — The church’s ornate spiral tower photographed from belowOur Saviour s Church — Upper spiral tower with gold trim against a blue skyOur Saviour s Church — Close view of the spiral tower and brick church baseOur Saviour s Church — Brick church tower partly framed by a leafy treeOur Saviour s Church — The large carved pipe organ filling the church’s bright interiorOur Saviour s Church — Carved organ seen from the nave beneath the vaulted ceilingOur Saviour s Church — Full view of the church’s ornate pipe organ and ceilingOur Saviour s Church — Carved elephant supporting part of the elaborate organ galleryOur Saviour s Church — Close detail of organ pipes, carved figures, and wooden galleryOur Saviour s Church — Sculpted figures and decorative carvings on the organ caseOur Saviour s Church — Tall organ pipes framed by dark carved woodwork

What's on here

Natkirke Humle & Noordhoek Duo v/ Olga G. Kohen Natkirke Humle & Noordhoek Duo v/ Olga G. Kohen Friday, 19:00Free Babysalmesang hold 1 for de lidt større – 5-9 måneder (afslutning)… Babysalmesang hold 1 for de lidt større – 5-9 måneder (afslutning)… Tuesday, 09:00 Babysalmesang hold 2 for de de mindste – 2-5 måneder (afslutning) Babysalmesang hold 2 for de de mindste – 2-5 måneder (afslutning) Tuesday, 10:00 Natkirke Petersen & Ugorskij duo v/ Olga G. Kohen Natkirke Petersen & Ugorskij duo v/ Olga G. Kohen Friday, 19:00Free Højmesse v/Susanne Møller Olsen Højmesse v/Susanne Møller Olsen Sunday, 10:30 Koncert med Isak Birkemose Koncert med Isak Birkemose Sunday, 15:00 Højmesse 1. søndag i advent v/Finn Damgaard Højmesse 1. søndag i advent v/Finn Damgaard Sunday, 10:30 Julekoncert med Musikkonservaroriets Børne- og Ungdomskor Julekoncert med Musikkonservaroriets Børne- og Ungdomskor Sunday, 16:00Free Show more

Why go

  • The spiral spire: 400 steps up, the last 150 outside, to an almost complete view over the city.
  • The 1928 carillon, 48 bronze bells and the largest in Northern Europe, plays melodies every hour, 8 am to midnight.
  • The organ by the Botzen brothers, built 1698–1700, with more than 4,000 pipes and two elephants supporting it.
  • The baroque interior, with figures carved from 1694 by stonemason Christian Nerger.

Don't miss

  • The altarpieceNicodemus Tessin's altarpiece shows Gethsemane, with an angel comforting Jesus and another bringing him a chalice.At the altar, flanked by the allegorical figures Pietas and Justitia.1732 On the map
  • The pulpitA cylindrical balcony with a stair, decorated with apostles in relief, designed by C.F. Harsdorff.Inside the church, replacing a plain blue-painted pulpit that stood there for almost 80 years.1773 On the map
  • The large angels on the altar railSix large angels by sculptor Erich Warnheim decorate the altar rail in front of the altar.Along the altar rail. On the map
  • The first foundation stoneLaid by Christian V himself, it is the church's first foundation stone.By the entrance.1682 On the map
  • The gilded globe and figure of ChristA gilded globe on the spire carries a gilded figure of Christ Triumphant holding a banner. It has a reputation as the ugliest sculpture in the city, but its proportions are meant to be seen from far away.On top of the spire. On the map

Know before you go

  • The church is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00.
  • The tower is closed in January.

Legends and hidden details

  • The story goes that the architect jumped from the spire, but he died in bed seven years after it was finished.
  • The jump story is a myth.
  • The story goes that the reversed stairs would have forced sword fights to be fought left-handed.

Services and visiting hours

Sundays
musical services
Night church
doors open weekly in the evening
Life events
baptisms, weddings and funerals
Concerts
15 to 20 a year

Interesting facts7

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  1. A large copper saviour figure was hoisted to the top, wrapped in silk and wool bags, taking over six hours.

    Tårnets historie – Vor Frelsers Kirke
  2. 2,000 kilograms

    The largest carillon bells weigh over 2,000 kilograms.

    Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen - Wikipedia

  3. The original pulpit, given by the king, sank on its sea voyage before the church opened.

    Historien – Vor Frelsers Kirke

  4. Seats were sold, and the best pews near the altar went to the richest families.

    Historien – Vor Frelsers Kirke
  5. 1822

    N. F. S. Grundtvig was a priest here from 1822 to 1826, and wrote the hymn 'Den signede dag med fryd vi ser' while serving.

    Historien – Vor Frelsers Kirke

  6. In Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Axel climbs the spire for five days to cure his fear of heights.

    Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen - Wikipedia

  7. Otto Fabricius, a missionary, naturalist and explorer, is buried in the churchyard.

    Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Over 80 craftsmen and labourers prepared the marshy ground before building. The site was reclaimed seabed, and the work took 14 years. Frederik V wanted to complete the great church of his great-grandfather. Lauritz de Thurah replaced the first design for the tower with his own. When the spire opened, Frederik V stopped to wave to the crowd at each turn of the spiral staircase. In his diary, Thurah wrote that the church was the most beautiful and splendid in the city.

  1. 1617Christian IV plans the Christianshavn quarter, which needs a church.
  2. 1639A temporary church is built just south of the present site.
  3. 1682Christian V lays the foundation stone of the present church, to a design by Lambert van Haven.
  4. 1696Christian V consecrates the church, before its spire was built.
  5. 1749Frederik V approves Lauritz de Thurah's design for the tower and spire.
Show all
  1. 1752The spire is finished, and the tower opens with a 27-gun salute from the churchyard.

Accessibility

  • Step-free access to the top of the spire The climb to the top is 400 steps, the last 150 of them outside.

Sources: Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen - Wikipedia · Copenhagen/Christianshavn - Wikivoyage (do) · Vor Frelsers Kirke – Sognekirke i hjertet af Ch… · Historien – Vor Frelsers Kirke · Tårnets historie – Vor Frelsers Kirke · Vor Frelsers Kirke (København) - Wikipedia · Vor Frelsers Kirke (Kopenhagen) - Wikipedia · Église de Notre-Sauveur de Copenhague - Wikiped… · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Skt. Annae Gade 29, Copenhagen

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How many steps are there to the top of Our Saviour's Church?

The climb has 400 steps, and the last steps run on the outside of the spire.

Is there a lift to the top of Our Saviour's Church?

No. The climb of 400 steps is the way to the top, so the view is not step-free.

When does the carillon play at Our Saviour's Church?

The carillon plays melodies every hour, from 8 am to midnight. Its largest bells weigh over 2,000 kilograms.

Where is Our Saviour's Church in Copenhagen?

It stands at Sankt Annæ Gade 29, in the middle of Christianshavn on the island of Amager.

Does Our Saviour's Church hold concerts?

Yes. It holds 15 to 20 concerts a year, and musical services are held on Sundays.

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