Trinitatis Kirke

What Trinitatis Kirke is

Trinitatis Kirke (Trinity Church) sits right in the middle of Copenhagen's old town and is more than just a church: together with the former university library and the famous Round Tower (Rundetårn), it forms a single building complex. King Christian IV had it built from 1637 for the University of Copenhagen — a place where faith, teaching and science came together under one roof: the church for the students' worship, the hall above it as a library, and the tower as an observatory. That combination of church and university is still what makes the building interesting today.

History

The foundation stone was laid on 7 July 1637, and the church was consecrated on 1 June 1656 — its name refers to that consecration on Trinity Sunday (Trinitatis). It therefore dates from the same building phase as the adjoining Round Tower.

• 1728: In the Great Fire of Copenhagen, the roof burned and the spire collapsed into the library housed above the church. Almost all of the interior was lost, apart from the metalwork.
• Rebuilding and restorations: The church was refitted after the fire, with further restorations in 1834–35 and 1869–71, and a major interior restoration in 1982–83 that brought the space back closer to its 1730s appearance.

Worth noting: you will often see "Christian IX" credited as the founder — that is incorrect. The church was founded by Christian IV (1577–1648), just like the Round Tower.

What to expect

Inside, you will find a bright, calm interior — no lavish Baroque decoration, but a sober, handsome nave refitted after the 1728 fire. 20 to 30 minutes is enough for a visit; it is worth it above all as a short, free stop on the way to the tower.

The church's music programme is particularly lively: concerts are held regularly throughout the year, ranging from choirs to larger works. On Thursdays from 14:30 to 16:30 there are free singalong afternoons (Sangeftermiddage), which Trinitatis Kirke runs jointly with Copenhagen Cathedral (Vor Frue Kirke). For the exact programme, check the events calendar on the official website.

Visiting & practicalities

The church is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 for worship and visits. On Sundays it is only open in connection with the main service at 10:30. It is quietest on weekday mornings between 9:30 and 11:00.

• Admission: Visiting the church is free.
• Round Tower separately: The adjoining tower is a separate, paid attraction — adults 60 DKK, students 40 DKK, children under 17 free. Tickets are sold only on-site at the ticket desk. Hours: summer (April–September) daily 10:00–20:00, winter (October–March) daily 10:00–18:00.
• 2026 restoration: The Round Tower's observatory is being restored in 2026, and the upper platform is temporarily closed; reopening is expected in autumn 2026. Check the tower's website for the current status.
• Time needed: 20–30 minutes for the church alone, about an hour including the climb up the Round Tower.

To experience the whole complex, combine both: start with the free church, then climb the 200-metre spiral ramp of the Round Tower for the view over the old town.

Getting there & combining your visit

Trinitatis Kirke sits right in Indre By, Copenhagen's old town, a few minutes' walk from the Strøget shopping street. The entrance to the Round Tower is right next door, so the two combine easily into a single stop. Within walking distance you will find Rosenborg Castle (Rosenborg) with the crown jewels and the King's Garden, as well as Copenhagen Cathedral (Vor Frue Kirke), with which the church shares its singalong afternoons. A second, more dramatic tower view is offered by Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke) in Christianshavn, with its spiral staircase winding around the outside of the spire.

For planning your visit, see the overview of attractions and the guide to the Copenhagen Card.