Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark

Roskilde Cathedral is a Protestant Cathedral located on the ridge at the very heart of Roskilde fjord, the Island of Zealand, Denmark. According to the historian Adam of Bremen the first church was from wood built about 980 and was replaced by stone church about 1080. Present Brick Gothic cathedral was built during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Roskilde Cathedral features both Romanesque and Gothic styles and is the oldest cathedral in Denmark. Since 15th century it was the main burial site for Danish monarchs and many burial chapels were added besides or in the cathedral over the following centuries until the 20th century. The interior of the Roskilde Cathedral houses frescoes from 1511, choir stalls from 1420 and impressive three-winged altarpiece from 1560 but it is best known for Danish royal tombs of 21 kings and 18 queens in four large royal chapels.

Riga Cathedral, Riga, Latvia

Riga Cathedreal or Riga Doms is a Protestant Cathedral located near the Daugava river in Riga, Latvia. The construction of the cathedral began in 1211 when its first bishop Albrecht von Buxthoeven laid the foundation stone. The cathedral was completed in 1270. The original cathedral was in a shape of a cross but over the following centuries the cathedral went through numerous modifications. Thus the present Riga Cathedral incorporates Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles.



Riga Cathedral is famous for its organs constructed between 1882 and 1884 by German company E.F.Walcker & Sons with 6718 pipes. The organs were at that time the largest and the most modern in Europe. Besides organ concerts and festivals Riga Cathedral also houses a museum which displays pictures of Riga between World War I and World War II including the maps and postcards of Old Riga.

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Oude Kerk (Old Church) is a Protestant church located alongside a canal in the Red Light District in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Oude Kerk is the oldest church in Amsterdam. It was consecrated by Guy of Avennes, bishop of Utrecht in 1306 although the construction works probably began about 1250. The church went through numerous alterations over the next centuries. The present Gothic style dates from the 14th century, while Gothic-Renaissance spire was built in 1565. Oude Kerk was confiscated by the Protestant reformers 1578 when Amsterdam officially became a Protestant city and much of its Catholic decoration has been destroyed.

The main highlights of the interior of are the late Gothic wall paintings, stained glass windows from the 1550's, pulpit from 1643, choirscreen from 1681, large organ from 1724-1726, five tombs of 17th century Dutch sea heroes and toms of other outstanding figures like the composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, the historian Isaac Commelin, the architect Justus Vingboons, painter and inventor Jan van der Heyden, Rembrandt’s first wife Saskia and many others.

Categories

• Home
• Catholic Churches
• Orthodox Churches
• Catholic Cathedrals
• Orthodox Cathedrals
• Protestant Churches and Cathedrals
• Anglican Cathedrals
• Greek Catholic Cathedrals
• Catholic Basilicas
• Orthodox Basilicas
• Orthodox Monasteries
• Other Christian Churches