Grundtvig’s Church (Grundtvigs Kirke)
A soaring yellow-brick cathedral of light and silence, Grundtvig’s Church blends Nordic minimalism with Gothic drama on Copenhagen’s Bispebjerg Hill.
Rising above Copenhagen’s Bispebjerg district, Grundtvig’s Church is a monumental Lutheran church and one of Denmark’s most distinctive works of Brick Expressionism. Built between 1921 and 1940 as a memorial to theologian N.F.S. Grundtvig, its vast yellow-brick façade evokes a giant organ, while the soaring, sparsely decorated interior, furnished with Kaare Klint’s iconic church chairs, bathes in soft northern light to create a serene, contemplative atmosphere.
A brief summary to Grundtvig’s Church
- På Bjerget 14B, København NV, København NV, 2400, DK
- +4535815442
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit on a clear morning to see sunlight stream through the high windows and emphasize the yellow brick and vaulted ceilings.
- Check ahead for service times and events; stay discreet and avoid photography during religious services or concerts.
- Wander the residential streets around the church to appreciate how nearby buildings echo its stepped gables and brickwork.
- Bring a warm layer outside cooler months; the vast interior and hilltop location can feel chilly even on bright days.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and walk
From central Copenhagen, take the M3 Cityring metro to Nørrebro or Skjolds Plads, which typically takes 8–12 minutes. From either station it is around a 20–30 minute urban walk through mainly flat residential streets. Metro tickets within the city zones usually cost about 20–30 DKK one way, and trains run frequently throughout the day.
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S-train and bus
You can also take an S-train, for example line B or C, to Bispebjerg Station from the city centre in roughly 7–10 minutes, then continue by bus towards Bispebjerg or Emdrup for another 5–10 minutes and a short walk. A combined ticket covering both S-train and bus within the city typically costs around 20–30 DKK one way; services run regularly but can be less frequent late at night and on weekends.
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Bicycle
Cycling from inner Copenhagen to the Bispebjerg district generally takes 20–30 minutes along established bike lanes. The route is mostly flat with a gentle rise near the church. City bike rentals and app-based bikes are widely available, usually costing around 15–30 DKK per half hour. Be prepared for wind and rain, especially outside summer, and always use lights in low visibility.
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Taxi or rideshare
A taxi or rideshare from the central city to Grundtvig’s Church typically takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Fares are usually in the range of 120–200 DKK one way within the central zones. This option is convenient in bad weather or for visitors with limited mobility, but note that drop-off is on local residential streets and traffic can be slower during weekday rush hours.
Grundtvig’s Church location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Clear Skies
Discover more about Grundtvig’s Church
A brick monument on Bispebjerg Hill
Grundtvig’s Church crowns the gentle rise of Bispebjerg Hill in north‑west Copenhagen, its stepped gables and 49‑metre tower looming over the surrounding neighbourhood. Conceived as a national memorial to the priest, poet, and educational reformer N.F.S. Grundtvig, it was designed by architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen‑Klint after a competition in the early 1910s. Construction began in 1921 and, after nearly two decades of work, the church was finally inaugurated in 1940. Approaching the western façade, you are confronted with an immense wall of pale yellow brick, articulated in strong vertical lines that resemble the pipes of a giant organ. The building measures roughly 76 metres in length and 35 metres in width, giving it the scale of a cathedral yet retaining a distinctly Nordic restraint. Around it, a planned housing district echoes its forms, so the church feels like the keystone of an entire architectural ensemble.Expressionist lines and Gothic inspiration
Jensen‑Klint studied medieval village churches on the island of Zealand, translating their stepped gables and brickwork into a new, expressive language. The result is often described as Brick Expressionism: a fusion of geometric modernism with the soaring verticality of Gothic design. More than six million hand‑made yellow bricks were used, their subtly textured surfaces catching the light and weather, so the exterior can appear golden, grey, or honey‑coloured depending on the time of day. The west tower is both bell‑tower and sculptural statement. Its lower portion is relatively plain, while the upper section becomes a rippling, almost organ‑like surface. This deliberate upward pull of the eye reflects the architect’s desire to create a building that seems to grow from the earth towards the sky, embodying Grundtvig’s concern with the meeting of the earthly and the spiritual.A luminous, minimalist interior
Inside, the church surprises with its vast, uncluttered volume. The triple‑aisled hall church has a long, narrow nave with columns that rise into pointed arches and ribbed vaults, recalling Gothic cathedrals yet stripped of almost all ornament. Here, the same yellow brick used outside has been left exposed, creating a soft, monochrome palette that heightens the play of light and shadow. High windows admit bands of daylight that slide across the brick surfaces, giving the space an almost weightless quality. Instead of frescoes, gilded altars, or stained glass, the emphasis is on proportion, rhythm, and light. The interior can accommodate around 1,800 worshippers, but the cubic clarity and sparseness make it feel both monumental and intimate at once, an ideal setting for quiet reflection as well as grand liturgical moments.The Klint family’s design legacy
Jensen‑Klint did not live to see the church completed; after his death in 1930, his son Kaare Klint, an influential furniture designer and architect, took over the project. Kaare refined details of the interior and designed the famous beech and wicker church chair, whose clean lines and functional elegance have become a classic of Danish design. Rows of these chairs, rather than heavy pews, reinforce the interior’s sense of lightness and order. A later generation also left its mark. Esben Klint, Kaare’s son, co‑designed the grand western organ façade and the simple, sculptural chandeliers that hang in the nave. Together, three generations of the same family shaped the building, making the church not only a place of worship but also an important chapter in the story of Danish design and craftsmanship.Atmosphere of calm in a living parish
Despite its imposing mass, the church exudes a quiet, almost meditative calm. The combination of pale brick, wooden chairs, and carefully modulated light gives the interior a Nordic minimalist character that many visitors find unexpectedly peaceful. The parish remains active, with regular Lutheran services, concerts, and organ recitals taking advantage of the rich acoustics created by the high vaults and brick surfaces. Outside service times, the nave often sits in hushed stillness, broken only by footsteps on the tiled and brick floors or the distant sounds of the Bispebjerg streets beyond. Whether you come for its architecture, its cultural significance, or a moment of contemplation, Grundtvig’s Church offers a powerful encounter with the intersection of faith, national identity, and modern design.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
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For the design and aesthetic lover
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For the architecture buff
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For the social media creator & influencer
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For the kind of experience you’re after
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
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- Solo Friendly
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- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
