Kastelskirken

Gazing upon Kastelskirken, one might mistake it for an ordinary building. Its Baroque facade, constructed in 1704, reveals little of its sacred purpose. Only a simple cross atop the weather railing hints at its true identity as the Citadel Church within Kastellet. Kastelskirken stands within the star-shaped fortress of Kastellet. Kastellet, built in the 17th century, is remarkably well-preserved. It boasts a unique five-point star design, complete with a water-filled moat. Though no longer a strategic defense point, Kastellet remains active, housing military personnel and activities. Kastelskirken served not only the spiritual needs of the garrison but also a rather unusual function. Hidden behind the church is a detention building, constructed in 1725. This building is connected to Kastelskirken by sound holes. These holes allowed prisoners within the detention building to hear the church services, offering a glimpse of spiritual solace within their confinement. The Rows, six two-story terraces within Kastellet, originally housed the citadel’s soldiers. These cramped quarters, measuring just four by four meters, contained two triple beds, a small table, and two benches. Later, mansard roofs were added in 1768, altering their original appearance. Kastelskirken, with its unassuming exterior and hidden connection to the prison, embodies a unique blend of the sacred and the secular. It stands as a testament to the complex history of Kastellet, where military might and spiritual comfort coexisted within the walls of this star-shaped fortress.