You're not scared of heights, are you?
The only reason I ask is because if you are, you'll miss out on one of Copenhagen's greatests landmarks---Vor Frelsers Kirke. This Lutheran church---known as Our Savior's Church and completed in 1752---has one of the coolest architectural designs that I've ever seen: An outdoor staircase that winds 400 steps to the top of the spire!
The climb is pretty harrowing---I'm not even afraid of heights, but I was hanging on for dear life (and I passed several other tourists who seemed to be frozen in place with fear)----but it was definitely worth the view. From the top, you could look out over the entire city, seeing landmarks like Marmokirken, Alexander Newsky Kirke, and Radhuspladsen.
Very cool.
Want to know more? Then check out these two videos:
View from the ground up:
View from the top:
So why do you think communities invest so much money into the design of their churches? Are churches some of the most beautiful buildings in your community?
What other buildings do you think should be beautiful? Why?
Leave a comment to share your thinking and join us again soon on Get Lost!
Signed,
Bam Bam Bigelow
Image retrieved from http://arkitekt-raadgivning.dk/Fotos%20barok/spir.jpg on September 16, 2007.
That myth is very interesting; it was a bit extreme at the point where he committed suicide. I was caught wondering why anyone would do that over a staircase going the wrong way! As I listened on I soon realized that it was a myth.
I would be sort of scared going up those stairs and wondering when I could come down.
I have not been in a really tall building, but I have been in a really tall tree. At first I was scared and then I felt the wind rushing through my hair and brushing against my cheek and I lost that bad feeling that I was about to fall. It is like an adrenaline rush.
Posted by: Nina | June 25, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Mr. F had an interesting question: “So why do you think communities invest so much money into the design of their churches?”
I think the right answer to this is that they do it so that they can make money. This would happen because these kinds of beautiful buildings attract tourists which would make the community money. This would make the community money because when people come to visit the church and they would need something to eat or drink they would go to a restaurant or a hotdog stand and that person would make money. Also when the people want to go into the church or to the top to look at the view they the people that own the church could have them pay which would go to the community. The beautiful design would also make the people’s homes near the churches prices go up due to the view that the home may have and if the person was religious it would be a convenience because they could walk to the church.
Here’s a question for you Mr. F why do you think that the Vor Frelsers Kirke is right in the middle of everything or do you think it’s just a coincidence?
From Peewi
Posted by: peewi | June 25, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Yes I have, I have been to the top of the progress energy building in Raleigh were my dad works during a parade, and I saw a great view of the city and it was incredible. I got to see were the parade was organized. I also saw the big famous sights like the Andrew Jackson house. It made me feel thrilled, because I felt like I was in control, and it was awesome. Also I felt happy because it was such a great sight.
Posted by: Ben L. | June 25, 2009 at 10:10 AM