Assistens Kirkegård (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Assistens Kirkegård (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Assistens Kirkegård is the final resting place of many famous people, such as Søren Kierkegaard, Hans Christian Andersen, Hinné, Kuhlau, Martin Andersen Nexø, H.C. Ørsted, etc.

About the cemetery

In 1711 a virulent epidemic caused the death of one third of the inhabitants of Copenhagen.s the city's cemeteries could not possibly cope with the resulting demand for burial plots, five new cemeteries were laid out, as a temporary solution. These were the so-called assistancekirkegårde, i.e. the "relief cemeteries". But they were very small and their capacities were soon depleted. This emergency led to proposals to establish a lager cemetery outside the city boundaries.

In 1757 the municipal authorities allocated an area of 39,000 square alen (an alen is 0.6277m) as the site of a new cemetery outside the city limits. This is the area which is today referred to as Section A of Assistens Kirkegård, which was consecrated on 6 November 1760. For its first 25 years, Assistens served as a paupers´ cemetery. It proved difficult to persuade the citizens of Copenhagen to use a cemetery that was - by contemporary standards - so far away from the city. With a view to making Assistens a more attractive choice, the authorities introduced a steep increase in charges for burial within the city limits. For the poor there was no choice; they were buried in Assistens.

In 1785, however, Assistens Kirkegård acquired a more elevated status. Assistens Kirkegård is the final resting place of many famous men and women, among them: Søren Kierkegaard, philosopher; Hans Christian Andersen, writer; Hinné, circus owner; Kuhlau, composer; Martin Andersen Nexø, writer; H.C. Ørsted, physicist. 

Address

Cemeteries Department,
The Technical and Environmental Administration,
City of Copenhagen

Kapelvej 2
2200 N Copenhagen
Denmark

Contacts

Phone: 0045 82 33 46 40
Email: stihel@tmf.kk.dk

Website:http://www.kk.dk/kirkegaarde

Photo Exhibitions in 2012

In 2012, as a part of several projects, ASCE will hold several photo exhibitions of significant cemeteries within EUCEMET project. We expect that these exhibitions will be covered by press and have a positive impact on recognition of our cemeteries and work in the public.

Any member that wishes to participate can start preparing by getting the photos of their cemetery. Most important is that:


Participation rules and details will be provided when agreed in the project. All the members are invited to participate.

The restoration of an important 16th century fresco, by Bartolomeo Cesi

The restoration of an important 16th century fresco, by Bartolomeo Cesi, located at the Certosa, the monumental cemetery of Bologna, has recently been concluded.

ASCE AGM in Friedhofskultur


Details from our AGM in Vienna this year were presented in an article in Friedhofskultur. Great work from our friends at Friedhöfe Wien.


Check out the complete article at this link.

Significant recognition for the CARISBO Foundation - The ASCE Award 2011

The article was published by the OLTRE magazine in October 2011.

Christmas Eve’s service in Vienna

An excellent opportunity to enjoy the impressive architecture and design of the art nouveau church with its dome adorned by 999 stars.

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