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The old cathedral at Børglum Abbey reopens on 8 May following an extensive and careful restoration. Through several years of work, the interior of the church has been brought closer to its historical appearance, and a wide range of details have been recreated with great respect for the building’s medieval architecture.

The result is a cathedral that can once again be experienced in its restored form – offering new insights into both the building’s history and the many layers that have shaped the church over the centuries.

A cathedral with over 800 years of history

Børglum’s old cathedral has roots dating back to the Middle Ages and has, over time, served as both a cathedral and a monastery church. Here, bishops and canons went about their daily lives, and the church interior has been the centre of religious services, ceremonies and funerals.

The restoration

During the restoration, work has focused on both the broad outlines and the smallest details. Among other things:

The historic south door has been restored to its original form
The chancel area has been carefully restored
The pews and furnishings have been conserved and adapted
The masonry and architectural details have been highlighted
New research has been carried out, providing fresh insights into the church’s history
The work has been carried out with great respect for the building’s original materials and traditional craftsmanship.

Experience the cathedral from 8 May

On the first floor, you can see an exact copy of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, made by local women.

At Børglum Abbey, we are the proud owners of a faithful replica of the historic and magnificent Bayeux Tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-metre-long piece of tapestry embroidered with wool yarn, which is rightly called the world's longest comic strip.

The tapestry depicts how the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, conquered King Harold Godwinson's England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The Bayeux Tapestry portrays people, animals, trees and ships, providing an insight into the harsh natural environment that set the scene for the bloody battle in 1066.

The Bayeux Tapestry also tells the story of the events leading up to the battle, showing how the main characters communicated with each other prior to the historic event.

The Bayeux Tapestry in Denmark
At Børglum Abbey, our fascination with this piece of history has led to a permanent exhibition of a faithful copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, which can be viewed during the abbey's normal opening hours.

It took 14 years to embroider the replica of the historical tapestry, and our version was embroidered by nine embroiderers