Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Frederik’s Church

Frederik’s Church, Copenhagen. Picture by Jakub Hałun Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Frederik’s Church

 Frederik’s Church popularly known as The Marble Church (Marmorkirken) for its rococo architecture, is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The church forms the focal point of the  Frederiksstaden district; it is located due west of  Amalienborg palace.

The church was designed by the architect  Nicolai Eigtved in 1740 and was along with the rest of  Frederiksstaden a district of Copenhagen, intended to commemorate the 300 years jubilee of the first coronation of a member of the House of Oldenburg.

Here are remarkable facts about the Marble church;

1. The church was to be erected in honor of the king and the 300th anniversary of the House of Oldenburg

At the behest of King Frederik V, Nicolai Eigtved drew up the building plans for Frederiks Kirke.

As one part of several representative building projects in the Frederiksstad district, the church was to be erected in honor of the king and the 300th anniversary of the House of Oldenburg.

The foundation stone was laid by the king on the occasion of the jubilee on 30 October 1749. The original building plans were very ambitious and accordingly a magnificent church building was to be built. 

2. The church has a special feature of a dome

Frederik’s Church dome seen from Rundetårn. By Colin Wikimedia

Today, a 46 m high dome with a diameter of 31 m rests on twelve columns. Those who want can walk up the steps to the dome and enjoy a wonderful view over the city and Öresund.

The dome is also famous, as it is still the biggest walkable church dome in Scandinavia. The central building that was built in the style of the classicistic late baroque is very impressive, but also the exterior gallery with its larger-than-life statues of the prophets, reformers, and church fathers should be absolutely visited.

The wall paintings are also worth a second look. In the dome, for example, are the twelve apostles and below the dome is the Bible verse John 17:3. It is also worth taking a closer look at the artistic windows, which provide a particularly beautiful light in the rooms and impress with their numerous details.

3.  The Church had an architectural project with some hiccups

Most architectural projects have a few hiccups along the way. This one suffered more than most. The original architect, court architect Nicolai Eigtved, died in 1754 while the project was incomplete, and by 1770 the original plans had been abandoned completely. For over a hundred years, the building stood as a half-finished ruin. 

In the late 1800s, Denmark’s Finance Minister sold the ruins of the church and its square to Carl Frederik Tietgen on the condition that he built a church in the style of the original plans.

Ferdinand Meldahl took over the design and, due to a tight budget, was forced to swap from marble to limestone blocks in its construction. The church finally opened in 1894, 145 years after the first stone was laid.

4. The church holds wedding events

A wedding event in the Church. Picture by Larry Koester Wikimedia

Today, the church seeks to be a modern city church and is open to the public every day. There is a magnificent view from the dome, which can be visited at 1 pm every day during the summer months and at the same time on the weekends for the rest of the year.

It is extremely popular to get married in a beautiful church. So hopeful couples practically line up to walk down the aisle. Listen for wedding bells chiming on Fridays and Saturdays.

5. Frederik’s church is located right next to the new royal apartments

Marmorkirken (translate Marble Church), also known as the Church of Frederick is located right next to the new royal apartments, next to the promenade pier.

The architecture of the neighborhood was surprised by its symmetry, and the church itself with its impressive dome 31 meters in diameter, deposited on a dozen columns.

The project started in 1750 and was abandoned for 150 years before being restarted in the twentieth century, to be completed in 1984.

6. The church is  constructed in the center of Copenhagen

Frederik’s church is situated at the center of Copenhagen. By Dietmar Rabich Wikimedia

The Marble Church or Church of Frederick of Copenhagen is a beautiful construction in the center of Copenhagen.

It is one of the most impressive buildings we see in the city. Exactly it is a Lutheran church whose dome, the largest in Scandinavia, is inspired by the dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome.

It took some years until in 1774 reverting back thanks to the funding of a senior banker, hasta be terminated in 1894. The inscriptions on the cover are translated as “The word of the Lord will be eternal”

7. Frederik’s church also called Marble church

In the years around 1740, Frederik the 5th wanted to build a royal church. A pompous monument that was to be a unifying center for the district.

Frederik’s Church was to be built exclusively in marble. The construction was started in 1749 and was an extremely costly project.

The marble was imported from Bergen in Norway, and several builders and architects from home and abroad had to work on the project before they were satisfied. From the marble work the name Marble Church originated.

8. The church is not only envisioned as a memorial but also a monument

Grundtvig was installed at the church entrance. By Daderot Wikimedia

Tietgen not only envisioned the church as a memorial to the Danish royals but also as a monument to the pastor N. F. S. Grundtvig and his philosophy.

Therefore, a statue of Grundtvig was erected at the entrance to the church. The church is surrounded by statues of Biblical figures, as well as prominent figures from Danish and international church history.

9. The church is famous for its Rococo architecture

Frederiks Kirke (Frederiks Kirke) is famous for its Rococo architecture. It is called the Marble Church and is an evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The church is the focal point of the Frederiksstaden district. It is located west of Amalienborg Palace. The Friedrichshafen Church has the largest church dome in Scandinavia, with a span of 31 meters.

The dome is supported by 12 stone pillars. The cornerstone was set by King Frederick V on October 31, 1749. After Eigtved’s death in 1754, the church remained mutilated for 150 years without completion.

The church finally opened to the public on August 19, 1894. The gold lettering on the front porch is engraved with the following words: HERREN ORD BLIVER EVINDELIG (The way of the Lord is forever).

10. The foundation was set up by Fredrick V

The foundation stone was set by king  Frederick V on October 31, 1749, but the construction was slowed by budget cuts and the death of Eigtved in 1754.

In 1770, the original plans for the church were abandoned by  Johann Struansee. The church was left incomplete and, in spite of several initiatives to complete it, stood as a ruin for nearly 150 years.

The Marble Church is open for visits at these times:

Monday-Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday: 12-17
Saturday: 10-17
Sunday: 12-17

There is also a church service every Sunday and on public holidays at 10.30 am.