Aarhus Cathedral: Multiple Eras Told in Brick

One of Aarhus’ most iconic buildings is Aarhus Cathedral – officially called St. Clement’s Church. Beyond its role as a church and gathering place during holidays, the building says much about the history of Aarhus.

Aarhus Cathedral has a dominant presence at Store Torv and Bispetorv in the center of Aarhus. The red brick church stretches 93 meters in length and features a tower that stands 92 meters tall, making it the longest and tallest church in Denmark, and a prominent part of the city’s skyline.

Construction of Aarhus Cathedral began between 1180 and 1200, likely under Bishop Peder Vognsen (1191-1202). The church was built on a site within the city’s walls, where a smaller wooden church dedicated to St. Clement once stood. The local saint, Niels, who was buried here, became a significant part of the church’s identity, and the church adopted both the name St. Clement’s and the cult of Saint Niels. The church was originally built in the Romanesque style, characterized by Roman construction techniques.

A Gothic Transformation

During the 15th century, Aarhus Cathedral was remodeled in the Gothic style, resulting in extensive changes. Bishop Jens Iversen Lange played a leading role in this transformation, which included the construction of the large west tower bearing his coat of arms. The nave was elevated, and the central nave was given Gothic star vaults, while the side aisles received cross vaults and larger windows. Additionally, a detailed altarpiece was commissioned from the workshop of the German painter Bernt Notke in Lübeck. A new and larger bishop’s residence was built to the north of the cathedral.

The renovations were completed under Bishop Niels Clausen (1490-1520), who also extended the choir with an ambulatory. Many of the church’s remarkable frescoes date from this Gothic renovation and are from the period 1470-1530.

Changes After the Reformation

The Reformation in 1536 brought significant changes to Aarhus Cathedral. The church’s land was confiscated by the king, and the bishop’s residence was converted into housing for the local governor. The Protestant bishops were instead housed in the canons’ old communal house, which was remodeled into a bishop’s residence and used until 1880. Inside the church, several side altars were removed, and in 1588, a new pulpit was installed in the center of the nave.

After the Reformation, the church’s financial foundation was severely restricted, meaning that only necessary repairs were carried out until the mid-1800s. In 1642, the church tower burned down and was replaced by a shorter octagonal spire, nicknamed the “coffee pot lid.” In 1702, parts of the eastern chapels were demolished, and in 1743, the church was modernized externally in the Baroque style. An extensive repair in 1775 removed much of the church’s medieval character. In 1822, the northern spire on the small round choir towers was blown down and replaced by octagonal onion domes designed by architect N. H. Rieman.

Restorations in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Beginning in 1865, the church underwent restorations to recapture its appearance from around the 1500s. From 1877 to 1882, efforts were made to return the church to its original Romanesque style – Baroque portals and onion domes were removed. Under the leadership of architects Hack Kampmann and Mogens Clemmensen from 1907, the church’s old grandeur was restored. In the 1930s, the stepped gables on the choir and transepts were rebuilt, and the tall spire on the tower was constructed, restoring the church’s historical appearance.

Aarhus Cathedral stands today as a monument to several centuries of Danish church architecture. It combines Romanesque and Gothic styles with later modifications and restorations. The result is the church we know today.

This is an English translation made with an AI-based service and subsequently reviewed by an editor. For any clarifications, refer to the original Danish version.