{"id":2963,"date":"2016-07-13T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T13:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2963"},"modified":"2016-07-13T21:43:26","modified_gmt":"2016-07-14T01:43:26","slug":"the-marble-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2963","title":{"rendered":"The Marble Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

Above most rooftops of Copenhagen, in the elegant area of Frederiksstaden, you can see the copper green dome of the Marble Church. \u00a0Impressively beautiful and\u00a0near the Amalienborg Castle and The Opera, the Marble Church (or the Frederik’s Church, its official name) is one most tourists aspire to visit on a trip to the Danish city.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>Having walked past this Lutheran church a few times before, I had never set foot inside its doorways. \u00a0Currently, lots of construction behind and adjacent to the church takes away from its impressive facade, however, when\u00a0stepping\u00a0inside, you are struck by the awe-inspiring massive dome…the largest dome in Scandinavia…with a span of almost 102 feet\u00a0and decorated\u00a0with a painting of the twelve apostles. \u00a0Though not as large, this\u00a0dome was supposedly inspired by the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.<\/p>\n

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In 1749, King Frederik V decided to build a church to honor God, the absolute monarchy and the royal house of Oldenborg celebrating the tercentenary of ruling the Country. \u00a0The church and town were named after him and together with his leading court architect, Nicolai Eigtved, they embarked on the monumental project.<\/p>\n

The foundation stone was laid October 30, 1749 and a mighty domed church was planned. \u00a0Finances were limited but\u00a0the King refused to cut back on materials, thus slowing progress. Large solid blocks of marble from eastern Norway were used to build the walls of the church, furthermore, increasing costs.<\/p>\n

After the deaths of Eigtved in 1754 and King Frederik V in 1766, Frederik’s son, King Christian VII decided to suspend the project. \u00a0No progress was made for 100 years with the walls, at barely a height of 60 feet. \u00a0Although the site was deemed a ruin, it was a popular motif for many artists. \u00a0Eventually, banker and financier C.F. Tietgen took over the project in 1874. \u00a0The rebuilding started later that year under architect Ferdinand Meldahl and\u00a0was finally completed, after 20 additional years of construction, on August 19, 1894.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>\"image\"<\/a>One of the highlights of most Copenhagen tours, be sure to expect busloads of tourists to be on site. \u00a0If you can dodge the hoards, however, be sure to take in the 14 bronze statues of prominent Danish Church Fathers that surround the church (with present construction, hard to see all). \u00a0On the balustrade around the dome are sculptures in zinc of 18 historical figures from the bible…prophets and apostles, in addition to Martin Luther, the founder of Reformation. \u00a0On the interior, note the motifs from the 42nd Psalm that flank the altar\u00a0and observe the\u00a0the church’s two organs. \u00a0The oldest, referred to as the Swan Organ, is no longer in use, however, the newer Marcussen organ is currently being used during services (and was being tested while I was visiting). \u00a0In the front chapel, take in the woodcarvings depicting the Deposition.<\/p>\n

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A most beautiful and historic church, that is\u00a0well worth a visit while in Copenhagen, will take, at most, about a half hour to visit (unless taking the Dome Tour). \u00a0It\u00a0can be combined with a visit to Amalienborg Palace and countless other attractions in the area.<\/p>\n

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The Marble Church<\/strong><\/p>\n