Enter the awe-inspiring Budolfi Domkirke (Budolfi Cathedral) to admire ornaments and sculptures which are hundreds of years old, listen to free live music or attend a Lutheran service spoken in English.
Aalborg’s cathedral takes its name from Botwulf of Thorney, known as St. Botolph, an English abbot who was a patron saint of farmers and sailors. The original wooden church in his honour, built around A.D. 1000, had burned down and subsequent structures were also demolished. Aalborg’s present-day cathedral was built in Gothic style during the mid 16th-century, after the Reformation.
The cathedral’s spire is a real eye-catcher. This dark Baroque tower with weathercock was erected in the late 18th century and, combined with its turret base, stands 208 feet (63.5 metres) tall. The clocks and roosters symbolise the dawn of Christianity.
Enter through the porch and look up to see Gothic murals from the 1500s depicting the symbols of the evangelists: Angel, lion, ox and eagle. At the entrance to the sacristy, look up at the ship model from 1450. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the pulpit, built in 1692. The altarpiece is from around the same time. Also look for sculptures of the Ten Commandments, the marble baptismal font and frescoes portraying the Passion of Christ. The rococo-style organ has 43 stops, good for 8,000 tone combinations.
Before and after the Sunday morning services, and on the hour on other days, you can listen to the chimes of the carillon’s various melodies. The heaviest of its 48 bells weighs more than 2,500 pounds (1,125 kilograms).
Situated on the southern side of Gammeltorv, the Budolfi Cathedral is near all major Aalborg attractions. The popular streets Algade and Jomfru Ane Gade are just short walks away. Public buses stop on nearby Nytorv and Vingardsgade.
The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday. An English-speaking Lutheran service takes place at every second Sunday evening. Admission is free. If you love classical music, check out the programme for the free summer concerts on the cathedral’s official website.
