Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral has been the burial church of the Danish kings and queens for a thousand years, and its twin brick spires rise over the old capital west of Copenhagen. A UNESCO site and the first Gothic brick cathedral in Scandinavia, it holds around forty royal tombs across chapels added over the centuries, a stone chronicle of the monarchy.

What you actually see

• The royal tombs - the graves of Danish monarchs across the many chapels.
• The brick Gothic architecture - the pioneering Gothic brick cathedral itself.
• The royal chapels - the burial chapels added by successive dynasties.
• The clock and pillars - the medieval fittings and the Struve arc marker nearby.

When to go

Year-round; an indoor visit for any weather, and a working cathedral, so check for services. It pairs with the nearby Viking Ship Museum for a Roskilde day.

Honest expectations

As a working cathedral, it may close for services and events. The many royal tombs are the highlight for those interested in the monarchy. It is a short train ride from Copenhagen, easily combined with the Viking ships.

Nearby

The Viking Ship Museum is by the fjord; Copenhagen is half an hour east by train.