Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of Saint Knud is one of the important historical monuments in the city of Odense. The temple is considered a national treasure of Denmark.
In 1086, after the death of King Knud, a wooden church was built in his memory. After the canonization of Knud in 1101, a large travertine cathedral was built on the site of the wooden church. In 1247, the temple burned down, but the remains of the tavertine church can still be seen in the underground chapel.
In 1286-1300, a new temple was laid by the bishop of Giziko. The church was built in the Gothic style of red brick with pointed arches and high vaults. On April 30, 1499, the temple was consecrated.
During the restoration of the cathedral in 1870, a staircase was added leading to the altar. The 16th century Gothic altarpiece was transferred from a Franciscan friary; the author of the altar was the Lübeck master Klaus Berg. This is a carved gilded triptych with 300 figures of saints and Danish kings. An underground chapel was also discovered and opened.
Today, the Church of St. Knud looks like a three-aisled cathedral with two rows of columns, the length of the room is 52 meters, width is 22 meters. There are five bells on the tower, the oldest of which dates from 1677, and the youngest - 1880. The cathedral houses a large organ and a pulpit from the 18th century.
The crypt, where the relics of St. Knud are buried, attracts special attention of visitors in the cathedral. Here in the crypt are kept old books, fragments of St. Knuda. Also in the temple are the remains of King Hans, his wife Christina of Saxony, their son - King Christian II and his wife - Isabella of Austria.
