| Holmen Cemetery | |
|---|---|
Holmens Kirkegård | |
 The Battle of Copenhagen Memorial | |
 | |
| Details | |
| Established | 1666 |
| Location | |
| Country | Denmark |
| Coordinates | 55°41′36″N12°34′47″E / 55.69333°N 12.57972°E /55.69333; 12.57972 |
| Size | hectares |
| Website | Official web site |
| Find a Grave | Holmen Cemetery |
Holmen Cemetery (Danish: Holmens Kirkegård) is the oldest cemetery still in use inCopenhagen,Denmark. It was first located next to thenavalChurch of Holmen in the city centre but relocated to its current site onDag Hammarskjölds Allé in theØsterbro district in 1666. The cemetery originally served as a burial site for indigent sailors in royal service and their families, complementing the militaryGarnisons Cemetery, from 1711 located on a neighbouring site.
When the anchor forge atBremerholm was converted into a naval church byChristian IV in 1619, a churchyard was laid out next to it.[1] It remained in use until 1651 but was then, following an extension of the church between 1641 and 1649, relocated to a site outside theBastioned Fortifications, next to the main road leading in and out of theEastern City Gate. The grounds had already been in use as a cemetery since 1662[1] but was inaugurated as the new Holmen Cemetery in 1666.
The existing layout of the cemetery was created by sær F. C. Schmidt in 1798.[1]
The chapel at Holmen Cemetery was built in 1902 to the design of architect and professorLudvig Fenger. He favoured theHistoricist styles and in Copenhagen he had already designedSt. James' Church (1876–1878) in aGothic Revival style andSt. Mathew's Church (1878–1880) in aRomanesque Revival style. In his design of the chapel at Holmen Cemetery he relied on traditional Nordicstave churches for inspiration.[2]
The chapel is an adapted stave church design, lacking the tall, tower-like appearance which is normally seen in such buildings, but theshingledslate roof, thetarred timber and the carved animal heads are characteristic features.[2]
There is a memorial for naval personnel killed in theBattle of Copenhagen from 1802. It consists of atumulus topped by anobelisk designed byJohannes Wiedewelt.[1]
