In January 2024, the restoration of the old cathedral began after a year of preparation. The last major restoration of the old cathedral took place in the 18th century, first by Frederik Kiærskiold and then by the king's master builder, Laurids de Thurah.
The ongoing restoration is expected to take the next two years.
We look forward to once again opening the old cathedral.
Funding ensures the cathedral's restoration The restoration of the old cathedral is being carried out thanks to generous support from the following foundations:
In this exhibition, we will tell you about the international Middle Ages at Børglum Monastery, and how Børglum Monastery connected the North to the European Catholic community.
As the frontpost of the papal power, Børglum Abbeyconnected the Nordic countries throughout the Middle Ages to the common Catholic community and unity, which in many ways in politics, trade and faith constituted the common European community.
The medieval bishopric of Vendsyssel was located at Børglum and the Abbey was the main Abbey in the north for the Premonstratensian order.
The head of Børglum Abbey had the title 'Præpositus' as he was not only the head of the Abbey, but also the head of a total of 10 Abbeys scattered around what is now Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Scotland. This Nordic monastic community was called 'Circariae Dania'.
The Abbey had complete autonomy, as the Prepositus and the Convention were not subject to either the king or the bishop. They were only answerable to the Abbot General of Prémontré, who would ensure that the Abbey had the necessary support from the Pope.
This exhibition presents the latest research on the international centre that existed at Børglum Abbey in the Middle Ages and was destroyed by the Reformation
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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
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Experience Café Vognporten during your visit
brunch must be preordered the day before: https://www.fruhansen.dk/
phonenumber +45 3027 7496
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Have you ever been curious to know what goes on behind the scenes during a restoration? We invite you to a unique experience where history, architecture and craftsmanship come together in our upcoming exhibition about the ongoing restoration of the Old Cathedral.
Take a journey from past to future and gain an in-depth insight into the extensive work being carried out to restore this historic monument to its former glory. We will take you on a journey from the last major restoration in the 18th century, carried out by the King's Master Builder Laurids de Thurah and Frederik Kiærskiold, to the current restoration and our efforts to preserve our cultural heritage.
The exhibition is still in preparation, but we look forward to opening the doors and sharing every aspect of this restoration process with you.
We explore some of the mysterious and haunted tales that have been associated with the place for centuries.
Here you can experience a selection of the many ghost stories that are still told about the abbey. Some of the stories are based on real events.
Among other things, you can read the dramatic tale of vampire burials in cemeteries, the young woman from Børglum accused of witchcraft, and the great mystery of why the monastery sometimes disappears!
The exhibition also features illustrations from Mikkel Egelund's new children's book Nøjeren (About the Ghosts of Børglum Abbey). The book is written by LG Jensen and Mikkel Egelund and illustrated by Emil Landgreen. It brings the abbey's legends and ghost stories to life in a new and vivid visual universe.
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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
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