Vor Frelsers Kirke, Copenhagen

Vor Frelsers Kirke is the Church of Our Saviour, a baroque church known for the remarkable staircase spiralling around its spire. The design of the church belongs to Lambert van Haven. Its most memorable feature is the climb itself: the spire rises 90 metres, and the staircase makes four counterclockwise turns around it.

The route contains 400 steps, with the last 150 exposed to the open air. At the summit, Christ Triumphant stands above a gilded globe, carrying a banner. The figure measures 4 metres and uses deliberately exaggerated proportions, because it was made to be seen from far away.

The church was inaugurated in 1695, although its spire came later, under the direction of Lauritz de Thurah; the completed spire was celebrated when the King climbed it on 28 August 1752. Look at the church’s tall tower and its rhythmic sandstone detailing, then trace the spiral visually around the dark-and-gilded structure. Inside, the huge organ rests on two elephants and contains more than 4000 pipes.

Its carillon has 48 bronze bells, and its melodies sound across Christianshavn every hour from 8 am to midnight. The church is dedicated to Jesus Christ, and its striking exterior turns a place of worship into an unmistakable Copenhagen landmark.