Is it possible for a building to echo the ideals of a man it was named after? Grundtvigs Hus stands before you. Though N. F. S. Grundtvig never lived here, this building embodies his nationalistic spirit.
Grundtvigs Hus stands out among the older buildings on Studiestræde. It is located at number 36-40. The house is named after the famous writer N. F. S. Grundtvig. He never lived here. The house was built in 1909. This was 35 years after his death.
Rolf Schrøder was the architect of Grundtvigs Hus. The “Kirkeligt Samfund af 1898” association commissioned the building. It served as a meeting house. It also functioned as a hotel, restaurant, and church hall.
Initially, the hotel was named Danevirke. It occupied a couple of floors in Grundtvigs Hus. The building resembles a medieval castle. It features symbolic decorations linked to Grundtvig and his nationalistic views.
The Danish coat of arms, complete with lions, adorns the facade. The initials of the Kirkeligt Samfund were part of the parapet’s decoration. Many decorations were incorporated throughout Grundtvigs Hus.
In the large hall, the capitals of the pillars showcased faces of Danish writers and folk high school figures. Rudolf Rud-Petersen decorated the restaurant on the first floor. His frescoes depicted figures in national costumes.
During the German occupation, the German Wehrmacht seized the building. Later, it was converted into office spaces.
Let’s delve deeper into the man behind the name. N. F. S. Grundtvig lived in the Grundtvig House in Præstø for only a year and a half. He served as pastor at Præstø Church in the early 1820s. The Grundtvig House in Præstø is a complex of historic buildings. It is located at Torvestræde 7.
Grundtvig later returned to Copenhagen. He took a position at the Church of Our Saciour. This church is on Christianshavn. Later, Grundtvig was elected for Rigsdagen in 1849. He represented the electoral district of Præstø.
Grundtvig’s influence extends beyond buildings and politics. He left a lasting mark on Danish identity. Grundtvigs Hus, though built after his death, serves as a reminder. It reminds us of his contributions to Danish culture and national consciousness.
As you leave Grundtvigs Hus, consider its role. It stands as a testament to Grundtvig’s enduring legacy. It is a legacy that continues to resonate within Danish society.