Helligåndskirken

A medieval church right on Strøget

Helligåndskirken (the Church of the Holy Spirit) stands directly on Strøget, the main shopping street, right by Amagertorv in the heart of the old town. This Lutheran parish church dates back to around 1300 and, before the Reformation, was part of a Catholic monastery. The great fire of 1728 left it badly damaged, destroying the interior of the time.

Part of the old monastery complex survives as Helligåndshuset, one of Copenhagen's largest medieval buildings, now used for exhibitions and events. If you're walking along Strøget you'll pass right by it anyway — a quick look inside costs no detour at all.

Reopened in 2026

The church was closed for about two years for a major renovation. It reopened on 1 March 2026 with an 11:00 service, made possible by a donation of 27 million DKK. The hours and notes below reflect the situation after this reopening — since a few adjustments sometimes follow a long closure, it's worth checking the official website before you go.

Greenlandic congregation, concerts and devotions

One distinctive feature of Helligåndskirken is its close connection to Copenhagen's Greenlandic community. Some services are held partly in Greenlandic or Inuktitut — unusual for a city-centre parish church. The regular Sunday service starts at 11:00.

The church is also active as a venue: it regularly hosts Citykirke concerts and musical devotions (musikandagt), which are open to the public. Exact dates vary and are listed in the church calendar; whether individual concerts charge admission isn't consistently stated, so it's best to check the official website.

Visiting & practical details

The church is open weekdays from 12:00 to 16:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 13:00, provided no service or event is under way. On Sundays the focus is the 11:00 service.

• Admission: no official price is stated. Danish folkekirke parishes are usually free to enter, though that isn't formally confirmed here.
• Parish office: reachable by phone weekdays 10:00–13:00; visits in person by arrangement.
• Limited access: during services and events the interior is closed or only partly open to visitors.

Getting there & combining your visit

The address is Niels Hemmingsens Gade 5, 1153 København K, right in the centre on Strøget by Amagertorv. From here it's only a few minutes' walk to plenty of other sights, so a short visit slots easily into a stroll through the old town.

Right next door stands the Round Tower with its spiral ramp, as does Copenhagen Cathedral (Vor Frue Kirke). Follow Strøget further and you'll soon reach Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn. The stroll itself is covered on the Strøget page. For more ideas, see the overview of attractions.