Frederik's Church (Marble Church)
On Gingerguide's self-guided Copenhagen audio tour, Frederik's Church (Marble Church) is a stop worth about ~30 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Copenhagen Copenhagen guide
About Frederik's Church (Marble Church)
Copenhagen's great domed Marble Church, begun in 1749, stood as a ruin for nearly 150 years before a financier's money finally completed it, in limestone rather than marble.
Frederik's Church (Frederiks Kirke) is an Evangelical Lutheran church of the Church of Denmark in the Frederiksstaden district of Copenhagen, popularly known as the Marble Church (Marmorkirken). Its foundation stone was laid in 1749 by King Frederik V, to a design by architect Nicolai Eigtved. Construction was halted in 1770 under Johann Friedrich Struensee, largely because of spiralling costs, and the unfinished church stood as a ruin for nearly 150 years. It was eventually completed by the architect Ferdinand Meldahl, financed by Carl Frederik Tietgen, and inaugurated in 1894.
Although called the Marble Church, the finished building is largely limestone, the original all-marble plan having been abandoned. Its great dome rests on twelve columns and is often cited as the largest church dome in Scandinavia, with a span of about 31 metres. The design most likely draws on St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Did you know? Despite its nickname, the Marble Church is built mainly of limestone. The original, costlier all-marble design was abandoned when funds ran out during construction in the eighteenth century.
How much time do you need at Frederik's Church (Marble Church)?
Around ~30 min works well for Frederik's Church (Marble Church) — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Frederik's Church (Marble Church)?
Yes — Frederik's Church (Marble Church) made the cut as one of 24 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Copenhagen. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Copenhagen
Day 1 of the Copenhagen in 2 days itinerary →Day 2 of the Copenhagen in 3 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Frederik's Church (Marble Church)
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