Roskilde Cathedral of St. Luke (Danish: Roskilde Domkirke), is in the city of Roskilde on the Island of Zealand (Sjælland) in eastern Denmark. It was the initial Gothic cathedral to be built of brick and its construction encouraged the spread of this Brick Gothic style throughout Northern Europe. It was constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries, and it incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque architectural features in its design. It was the only main cathedral in Zealand until the 20th century. The cathedral's identical spires dominate the skyline of the town.
The cathedral was built in a style of Romanesque characteristic of interior arches with half-rounded structure to sustain the flat interior ceiling. The foremost church has an extended nave and two side passageways. Two towers flanked the west front entrance. A three-sided stone monastery was constructed adjacent to the cathedral on the northern side of cathedral, for the monks and other associated people with the cathedral. Bishop Svend achieved success in bringing an important remnant, the skull of St. Lucius, an early pope (253-255), who later became the patron saint of the cathedral. The skull is now located in the Catholic Cathedral of St. Ansgar in Copenhagen.
From the beginning of 1987, the church has been the place of residence for one of Denmark's important boys' choirs, The Roskilde Cathedral Boys' Choir. The choir soon eminent its 20th centenary, which made a key resource in the parish youth work. All choristers’ boys go to normal school but meet up 2-3 times a week to rehearse. Every second year the choir of boys travels abroad destinations like New Zealand, Scandinavia, England, Greenland, France and Canada.
At a distance of 7 km away from Roskilde lies Ledreborg palace, a home of the Holstein-Ledreborg relatives since 1739.It represents one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture and landscaping in Scandinavia region. The palace contains idiosyncratic collection of paintings and furniture pieces; on one entire floor; with the interior remaining practically unchanged from the age it was created around 250 years ago. Pretty, enormous Park build in partly French and partly English style invites every visitor to stroll around. The estate also puts in fine ground place for golf players with 18-holes golf coursework.
Roskilde Palace is a four wings yellow baroque building built in 1733 - 1736 on place where the church house used to be. The yellow-washed, four wings baroque building was on the way to become the headquarters of the Duke of Wellington during the English siege of Copenhagen in 1807.The architect who build the Palace was the young court builder ‘Lauritz de Thurah’. The palace was built to provide a suitable stopover for the monarch passing through Roskilde, or as an accommodation in connection with royal funerals (Danish monarchs are buried in the Cathedrals).The Absalon Arch is adjacent the Palace with Roskilde Cathedral. The Palace is rich in its history and has served as the main residence for the Royal Family during their trips to Jylland or while attending royal funerals.
The Viking Ship Museum and The Historical Museum form the University Museum of Cultural Heritage build under Oslo buildings was designed for the Viking Ships by one of the best-known Norwegian architects’ .Arnstein Arneberg in 1927is the museum which conducts temporary exhibitions as well as provide a centre for various activities and venues. This museum was build for one of the Viking ships and since then the facilities have been enlarged lots of times. Today it not only represents a museum but also a marine historical centre with its own shipyard and harbor hosting different kind of ships.
