The spire's gilded statue of Christ stands 3 meters tall and is made of copper covered in gold leaf.
Legend falsely claims the architect committed suicide by jumping from the spire when he realized the staircase twisted the wrong way.
The church was built on land reclaimed from the sea in the mid-1600s, requiring a foundation of thousands of oak piles.
The massive organ case features the initials of King Christian V, who donated the wood for its construction.
The 33 bells in the carillon represent one of the largest such sets in Northern Europe.
The church's exterior staircase was designed to allow King Frederik V to reach the summit during his visit in 1749.
The Church of Our Saviour is a 17th-century Baroque church located in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen. Its most distinctive feature is the 90-meter-high external helical spire, characterized by a golden corkscrew staircase that winds counter-clockwise to the top. Designed by Lauritz de Thurah and completed in 1752, the spire is topped with a globe and a gilded statue of Christ. The church interior features a prominent Dutch Baroque altar and an elaborately carved organ case supported by two statues of elephants. The organ itself, built by the Brothers Botzen in 1698, is one of the oldest in Denmark. The church serves as an active parish and has remained open to the public as a landmark since its consecration in 1696. Visitors can ascend the 400 steps of the spire, with the final 150 steps located on the exterior of the structure. The tower offers panoramic views across the Copenhagen harbor and the city skyline.
The view from the base of the spire looking down at the red-tiled roofs of Christianshavn.
Book your spire climb tickets online in advance to guarantee entry, as access is restricted by group size and weather conditions.
If you suffer from vertigo, be aware that the final section of the spire staircase is exposed to the wind and outside the structure.
Plan to visit on a clear day, as the spire is frequently closed during high winds or rain for safety reasons.
Attempting the climb during high winds, as the spire is often closed to ensure visitor safety.
The spire is closed to visitors during the winter months and remains shut during extreme weather conditions like high wind or lightning.
Maintain a respectful silence during active services; shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect.
