Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Church of Our Saviour on Christianshavn is impossible to miss, thanks to its extraordinary spiral spire that twists skyward like a golden corkscrew. The church itself was completed in 1695, but it stood without a spire for over 50 years. When architect Lauritz de Thurah finally added it in 1752, he created one of the most distinctive silhouettes in Northern Europe, inspired by Borromini's Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome.

Four hundred steps lead to the top, with the last 150 winding outside along the narrowing spiral. The golden globe at the summit carries a 4-meter figure of Christ Triumphant holding a banner, deliberately made with exaggerated proportions because it is only visible from great distances below.

There is an infamous legend claiming that de Thurah was so horrified to see his spire spiraling the "wrong way" that he threw himself off the top. It makes a great story, but it is completely false. De Thurah died peacefully in his bed seven years after completion, with no records suggesting he was anything but proud of his masterwork.

The climb is not for the faint of heart. The external steps narrow as they ascend, and the views over Copenhagen, across Christianshavn's canals and rooftops, are reward enough for the effort. On a clear day, you can see across the Oresund to Sweden.

A Questo quest through Copenhagen might lead you to this spire with a riddle or challenge that makes the experience even more memorable than the climb alone.