Church of Our Lady Kalundborg

In the old town of Kalundborg, known as Højbyen, you will find Denmark’s only five-towered church—Vor Frue Kirke.

Højbyen is characterized by three parallel streets, with Adelgade in the middle and Præstegade to the south, both leading up to the church. Præstegade is still cobblestone-paved and features many original, crooked houses.

Adelgade is home to the Bishop’s House (Bispegården), built between 1450-1480 by the bishop of Roskilde. The bishop resided here during his visits to Kalundborg for business and religious duties. Today, the building hosts art exhibitions and houses a restaurant.

In the town square of Højbyen, you’ll find a statue of Esbern Snare, who built the West Castle (Vestborgen) in Kalundborg and likely initiated the construction of the five-towered church around 1170. The church was completed in 1220 by his daughter Ingeborg and her husband, Peder Strangesen. Esbern Snare was the brother of Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen, and foster brother of King Valdemar the Great.