Christ Church, Bergen
Christ Church on Holmen (Kristkirken på Holmen i Bergen) was the main medieval era cathedral of
Haakon's hall (Håkonshallen) and Bergenhus Fortress (Bergenhus festning).[1]
[2]
[3]
History
Christ Church was built by King
Saint Sunniva were moved here from Selja
and placed on the main altar.
During Bergen's period as the capital of Norway in the 13th century, the area known as Holmen contained the royal residence in Bergen, as well as Christ Church, several other churches, the bishop's residence, and a Dominican monastery. Holmen and Christ Church formed the political centre of the country. The church itself was used for negotiations and the churchyard was used for hailing of kings and meetings of the realm. The first coronations
were held in the church when it was finished. The kings were also married and buried in the church.
In 1531, the church was levelled to the ground by order of Eske Bille who was Danish commander of Bergenhus Fortress from 1529 to 1537. A similar fate happened to the city's Apostel Church. Both churches and other buildings were removed in order to strengthen the defense of the city and port and with the consent of Bishop Olav.[4]
Coronations
- Magnus V in 1163 or 1164
- Sverre on 29 June 1194
- Haakon IV and Margaret Skulesdatteron 29 July 1247
- Magnus VI and Ingeborg of Denmark on 14 September 1261
- Eric II in 1280
- Margaret of Scotlandin 1281
Burials
- Saint Sunnivain 1170
- Sverre in 1202
- Haakon IIIin 1204
- Haakon IVin 1263
- Margaret of Scotlandin 1283
- Margaret, Maid of Norway, in 1290
- Eric II in 1299
References
- ^ "Kristkirken på Holmen i Bergen". Kunsthistorie. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ "Bergenhus festning". Kulturminnesøk. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ "Håkonshallen". bymuseet. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ "Eske Bille". Norsk Biografisk Leksikon. Retrieved February 5, 2022.