-

                             Viking Ship on the Roskilde Fjord — Photo © Roskilde VikingShipMuseum

Who’s heard of Roskilde, Denmark? You might ask your kids.
Europe’s largest rock concert gathering — modeled on Woodstock —
occurs there annually over four days at the end of June.

THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN 2001 & WAS MOST RECENTLY UPDATED IN 2011.

Gothic Roskilde Cathedral has stood since the
13th century when it replaced a Viking era church.
Photo © Home At First.

But if that is more of a reason NOT to go to this pretty, upscale, historic town on Zealand’s Roskilde Fjord on the days just before July, then here are a few dozen reasons to add Roskilde to your Scandinavia tour itinerary.

OSKILDE traces its origin to the Viking Age around the 990’s. The area was densely populated throughout ancient times. Nearby Lejre was a central place of worship and a Zealand chieftain's seat. Viking King Harald Bluetooth is credited with the founding of Roskilde. He built the first wooden church – likely where the cathedral now stands – and is buried at the Cathedral.

          In ancient times, Roskilde was the  

capital of Denmark. Roskilde Cathedral has been the burial place of Danish kings and queens since the 15th century. Roskilde Cathedral is now on the World Heritage List.
 

The Viking Ship Museum is located on the waterfront of the beautiful Roskilde Fjord. Its existence results from the local discovery of five ancient Viking boats, now restored and on display in the museum. One great boat, the Viking warship Sea Stallion from Glendalough, has been built based on one relic Viking ship's design, and has sailed from Roskilde to Dublin, Ireland, and back. Watch boat builders working on the construction of new and replica boats of

 

Recreated Viking dragon boat constructed at the
Viking Ship Museum sets sail in the Roskilde Fjord.
Photo Mikkel Grabowski © VisitDenmark.
 

traditional designs and observe the archeological

conservation of more ships and ancient

 

The 16th century manor house built on the site
of a 13th century priory became, at the end
of the 17th century, the prestigious home
for unmarried Danish noblewomen.
Photo © Home At First.
 

artifacts found near Roskilde. During the summer months hour-long sailing excursions in the museum’s Viking-style vessels are possible. The Museum Harbor is the home of a collection of Viking Ship replicas and other Nordic utility vessels visitors may explore.

Sailing on the Roskilde Fjord is possible by Viking ship, cruise boat, or by ferry. Rent a bike to take with you on the ferry and cycle back to Roskilde through the scenic Danish countryside.

Roskilde Cloister is an elegant 1560 manor house converted to a home for unmarried Danish noblewomen.

The Lejre Research Centre, "Land of Legends" — just 25 minutes away by train+bus, or 15 minutes by car from Roskilde — is a living open-air museum devoted to Iron Age (Viking) life which once flourished here. Visitors stroll through this theme park in a natural setting experiencing an Iron Age village, Stone Age encampment, a Viking market, and 19th century farm cottages, all staffed with costumed inhabitants and working artisans. The Land of Legends does serious archeology at the site, too, and invites visitors to observe and speak with the researchers at work.

 

Iron Age Village at the Land of Legends, the Lejre Research
Center A SHORT DRIVE OR TRAIN RIDE FROM ROSKILDE.
Photo Egen fotograf @ VisitDenmark.
 

 

18th century Ledreborg Palace was built by the noble
Holstein-Ledreborg family. The family still resides
 at the palace, which they open to visitors
for tours during summer months.
Ledreborg Palace Photo.
 

          Also near the town of Lejre is one of Denmark’s greatest manor houses, the 18th century Ledreborg Palace, called "the most romantic privately-owned palace in Denmark." The palace and its extensive gardens — still a residence of the family that built it 250+ years ago — may be visited during the summer months. Ledreborg Palace is a 10-minute drive or 20-minute train+bus ride from Roskilde.
 
          About a half-hour's drive further from Roskilde brings one to the Skjoldenæsholm Tram (Trolley) Museum, a refuge for relics of now defunct city tram systems in Copenhagen,

Odense, Aarhus, and elsewhere. The

museum attracts railfans to be sure, but also

makes a fun family day out riding the antique trolleys and bus and picnicking on the wooded rural site.
 
        A similar excursion is available Sundays from mid-May through mid-September by riding Denmark’s longest narrow-gauge railway (700mm, about 27in), the Hedeland Vintage Railway, a short trip by car, bus, or rail east from Roskilde. Trains may be steam or diesel powered for the 10km (6mi) round-trip journey from Hedehusene's Hedehusgård Veteran Railway Station.

Copenhagen: Roskilde is only 25 minutes away from the heart of Copenhagen by train

 

Entrance to the Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum
includes unlimited rides on the historic trams
and buses that operate on the attractive property.
Photo Skjoldenæsholm Tram Museum.
 

or car. Denmark’s capital is easily explored by

day-trip, while you stay snug in a small town seemingly far from the maddening crowd.

• The Roskilde Museum houses some 60,000 artifacts documenting well over 1,000 years of cultural history at Roskilde from pre-historic Viking times to the 1970’s. Open daily; admission charged.

• Museet for Samtidskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art) "Word, Image, Sound" housed in the Palace in Roskilde, a beautiful building from the year 1736. Exhibitions, performance, film, dance, concerts.

• St. Jørgensbjerg Church was a village church dating from 1040 — making it one of Denmark’s oldest buildings.

• Gammel Vor Frue Kirke — another 1,000-year-old church originally a cloister for Benedictine nuns at the time the Vikings were converting to Christianity.
 

sarcophagus of queen margrethe I AT ROSKILDE CATHEDRAL.
Photo Peter Søllner © VisitDenmark.
 

 
You can include Roskilde, Denmark, as a stop on your
Scandinavian travel itinerary with Home At First.

LEARN ABOUT HOME AT FIRST TRAVEL TO:
 ROSKILDE, ZEALAND, EASTERN DENMARK, DENMARK, AND SCANDINAVIA
 
-