Odense Cathedral - St Cnut's Church

Gothic architecture in the heart of the city

The present cathedral was built in the Gothic style and completed in the late 15th century. Step inside the lofty interior, where red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and long views through the nave offer a vivid impression of medieval church architecture.

The church’s roots, however, go back much further. In the crypt, you can see remains of an earlier stone church built after the killing of Cnut the Holy in 1086.

Cnut the Holy and the royal tombs

The church is named after the Danish king Cnut the Holy, who was killed in St Alban’s Church in Odense in 1086 and later canonised. In the crypt, you can see the shrine containing his remains alongside that of his brother Benedict.

The cathedral is also the burial place of several members of the Danish royal family. Among those buried here are King Hans, Queen Christine and Christian II.

Claus Berg’s altarpiece

One of the church’s most striking works of art is the large carved and gilded altarpiece by Claus Berg. It was created in the early 16th century on the commission of Queen Christine and originally stood in the Franciscan monastery church.

The altarpiece contains numerous figures and scenes from the Bible and Christian tradition. In the lower section, you can also find members of the Danish royal family, including King Hans, Christian II and Queen Christine.

The cathedral brings together many of Odense’s great historical stories under one roof. Medieval architecture, royal tombs, the story of a saint and remarkable works of art all form part of a place where centuries of history can still be experienced up close.

On Wednesdays, due to noon prayers, it is not possible to move around the church from 11.45 to 12.30.