Every July, thousands of fans of the four-day music festival Roskilde fill the city literally to the state of herring in the bank . And that's not surprising: this event vies with the British Glastonbury for the title of the largest rock festival in Europe . At one time, "Nirvana", shook their hair under "Metallica" and arranged faddish dances for Arctic Monkeys . If you are not a fan of such music and similar festivals, it is worth sympathizing with their visitors, as well as warm beer, toilet queues and whole unpleasant Accomplishment of the grieving youngster . And, accordingly, not to come to Roskilde in this summer month . But all the rest of the time the old city pleases with the excellent Museum of Viking ships and the magnificent cathedral, the burial place of the Danish royal family .
Roskilde is a popular point for day trips from Copenhagen, only 30 km separate the city from the capital of the country.
Paragraph history
Roskilde (or Roskilde) is named after its legendary founder - King Ro and sacred springs (from the Danish kilde), some of which have been preserved in the vicinity. This city is the former residence of the Danish kings (circa 1020-1416) and the government, the capital of the country until 1443, and until about 1060 there is also a diocese and the most important religious center until the time of the Reformation. In addition, it was here in the 12th century that the legendary Roskilde Chronicle was written - the oldest work of Danish historiography.
If you go deeper into Roskilde's history (and it's worth it), you can find out that the city gained fame in the Viking age, being the capital of Denmark .For example, an important milestone is 980, when the King of Norway and Denmark Harold Blue Tooth commissioned to build here the first wooden church .Later, in 1026, it was replaced by a stone building already on behalf of a lady named Estrid, whose husband was killed in a wooden church after a hot chess match (yes, this is only possible in Scandinavia!) .The foundation of the 11th century temple is still alive and is strictly under the cathedral .
Medieval Roskilde was a thriving shopping center and the center of Danish Catholicism. The extinction of the city began with the transfer of the capital to Copenhagen at the beginning of the 15th century, the population declined significantly after the Reformation, in 1536.
In a word, there are plenty of reasons to visit this truly "historic place."
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How to get
Trains from Copenhagen to Roskilde depart very often, en route only 25 minutes, the fare is about 70 kronor. In addition, it can be reached by train from Køge (38 CZK, 25 minutes) and Næstved (51 kroons, 42 minutes).
For those traveling by car: from the capital in Roskilde, the Rte 21 runs. To get to the center, look for the Rte exit 156. Parking is south of the Strandberg supermarket and next to the Museum of Viking ships. Renting a bicycle in Roskilde is a great idea. You can do it in Jupiter (Gullandsstræde 3; 9-17.30 Mon-Fri, 9-13 Sat) and at Danhostel hostel for 50 CZK per day.
Climate
Overcast, light rain +3 ° С a day +1 ° C at night ° С water |
Cloudy, rain +5 ° С in the afternoon +3 ° C at night ° С water |
Partly cloudy, light rain +4 ° С in the day +1 ° C at night ° С water |
| Roskilde weather forecast for 10 days | ||
Entertainment, Excursions and Attractions Roskilde
The main attractions of Roskilde, as already mentioned above, is the Museum of Viking ships and the Cathedral. That's the last, perhaps, and worth starting. Many call this temple the most majestic and beautiful in all of Denmark, Unesco just took the Roskilde cathedral (Domkirke) under his protection marked "the property of mankind." The cathedral was rebuilt and rebuilt so many times that today can serve as a living history of Danish architecture over the past 800 years.
In the royal tomb there are crypts already 37 Danish kings and queens. The opportunity to admire the remains of many once influential historical figures sounds unattractive, but it's worth it.
Address: Domkirkepladsen, entrance 60 kroons, children free of charge, opening hours: 9-17 pn-sat, 12.30-17 hrs.
Fans of the Vikings will squeak with delight in the amazing Museum of Viking ships, where you can personally see the five most real ships raised from the bottom of the Roskilde fjord. The museum consists of two halls - Viking Ship Hall, where the boats are, and Museumsø, where archaeological excavations are still conducted. Free guided tours in English are conducted every day at 12 and 15:00 in July and August, and at noon on weekends in May, June and September.
Museum address: Vindeboder 12, entry May-September 115 CZK, children free of charge; October-April 80 EEK. Opening hours: 10-17 end of June-August, until 16 all other months. Walks on boats are arranged from May to September.
Another noteworthy museum is the City Museum (Roskilde Museum). Here you can get acquainted with the history of Roskilde from the Stone Age, through the times of Harold the Blue Tooth and to the present day with its famous Roskilde festival.
Address: Sankt Olsgade 18, entrance 25 CZK, students 15 CZK, children free. Opening hours: 11-16.
Finally, it is worth visiting the Royal Palace of Roskilde (Palæet) of the 18th century and its museum of contemporary art (Samtidskunst). We will not talk about the collection of the museum, it is surprisingly worthy and nice, say a few words about the palace. Built by the royal architect Laurits de Trier in 1733-1736, the palace was used by King Christian VI during his stay in the city, and from 1835-1848 was the meeting place of representatives of the estates who served the preparation of the democratic reforms of 1849. In a word, the place is historical and at least curious.
Address: Stændertorvet 3D, entrance 30 CZK, children free of charge, opening hours: 11-17 Tues-Fri, 12-16 sb-sun.