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{{Short description|Cemetery in Copenhagen, Denmark}}
{{Infobox cemetery
{{Infobox cemetery
|name = Assistens Cemetery
|name = Assistens Cemetery
|image = Assistens Kirkegård 1.jpg
|image = Assistens Kirkegård 1.jpg
|imagesize = 240px
|imagesize = 240px
|caption =
|caption =
| map_type = Denmark Copenhagen
| map_type = Denmark Copenhagen
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
|established = 1760
|established = 1760
|country = [[Denmark]]
|country = [[Denmark]]
|location = [[Nørrebro]], [[Copenhagen]]
|location = [[Nørrebro]], [[Copenhagen]]
|coordinates =
|coordinates =
|type = <!-- private, public-->
|type = <!-- private, public-->
|owner = <!-- entity that owns the cemetery-->
|owner = <!-- entity that owns the cemetery-->
|size =25 [[hectare]]s
|size =25 [[hectare]]s
|graves= <!-- how many gravesites-->
|graves= <!-- how many gravesites-->
|findagraveid = 639623
|website = [http://www.assistens.dk/ www.assistens.dk]
|website = [http://www.assistens.dk/ www.assistens.dk]
}}
}}
'''Assistens Cemetery''' ([[Danish language|Danish]]: Assistens Kirkegård) in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]], is the burial site of a large number of Danish notables as well as an important greenspace in the [[Nørrebro]] district. Inaugurated in 1760, it was originally a burial site for the poor laid out to relieve the crowded graveyards inside the walled city, but during the [[Danish Golden Age|Golden Age]] in the first half of the 19th century it became fashionable and many leading figures of the epoch, such as [[Hans Christian Andersen]], [[Søren Kierkegaard]], [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]], and [[Christen Købke]] are all buried here.
'''Assistens Cemetery''' ([[Danish language|Danish]]: Assistens Kirkegård) in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]], is the burial site of many Danish notables as well as an important greenspace in the [[Nørrebro]] district. Inaugurated in 1760, it was originally a burial site for the poor laid out to relieve the crowded graveyards inside the walled city, but during the [[Danish Golden Age|Golden Age]] in the first half of the 19th century it became fashionable and many leading figures of the epoch, such as [[Hans Christian Andersen]], [[Søren Kierkegaard]], [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]], and [[Christen Købke]] are all buried here.


Late in the 19th century, as Assistens Cemetery had itself become crowded, a number of new cemeteries were established around Copenhagen, including [[Vestre Cemetery]], but up through the 20th century it has continued to attract notables. Among the latter are the [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physicist [[Niels Bohr]] and a number of [[United States|America]]n jazz musicians who settled in Copenhagen during the 1950s and 1960s, including [[Ben Webster]] and [[Kenny Drew]].
Late in the 19th century, as Assistens Cemetery had itself become crowded, a number of new cemeteries were established around Copenhagen, including [[Vestre Cemetery]], but through the 20th century, it continued to attract notable people. Among the latter are the [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physicist [[Niels Bohr]] and a number of [[United States|America]]n jazz musicians who settled in Copenhagen during the 1950s and 1960s, including [[Ben Webster]] and [[Kenny Drew]].


An ''assistenskirkegård'' (meaning "assistance cemetery") is originally a [[wikt:generic|generic]] term in Danish, used to refer to cemeteries which were laid out to assist existing burial sites, usually those located in urban settings in connection with churches, and therefore a number of cemeteries by the same name are found around Denmark.
An ''assistenskirkegård'' (meaning "assistance cemetery") is originally a [[wikt:generic|generic]] term in Danish, used to refer to cemeteries which were laid out to assist existing burial sites, usually those located in urban settings in connection with churches, and therefore a number of cemeteries by the same name are found around Denmark.
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[[File:Assistens Kirkegård 1800.jpg|thumb|200px|Plan of the cemetery from 1800 by [[Jørgen Henrich Rawert]]]]
[[File:Assistens Kirkegård 1800.jpg|thumb|200px|Plan of the cemetery from 1800 by [[Jørgen Henrich Rawert]]]]
[[File:Assistens Kirkegård c. 1800.jpg|thumb|200px|Plan of the cemetery from c. 1800 ]]
[[File:Assistens Kirkegård c. 1800.jpg|thumb|200px|Plan of the cemetery from c. 1800 ]]
In Medieval times intramural interment was the rule although outdoor graveyards gradually became more common. In 1666 the [[Royal Danish Navy|Naval]] [[Holmens Cemetery]] was moved from its original location at [[Church of Holmen]] to a site outside the [[Fortifications of Copenhagen (17th century)#Østerport|Eastern City Gate]] as the first burial facility to be located outside the city.<ref name=Selskabet>{{cite web|url=http://www.kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/kko/a/kko_a-39.html|title=Assistens Kirkegård|publisher=Selskabet for Københavns Historie|accessdate=2010-07-15}}</ref>
In Medieval times intramural interment was the rule although outdoor graveyards gradually became more common. In 1666 the [[Royal Danish Navy|Naval]] [[Holmen Cemetery]] was moved from its original location at [[Holmen Church]] to a site outside the [[Fortifications of Copenhagen (17th century)#Østerport|Eastern City Gate]] as the first burial facility to be located outside the city.<ref name=Selskabet>{{cite web|url=http://www.kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/kko/a/kko_a-39.html|title=Assistens Kirkegård|publisher=Selskabet for Københavns Historie|access-date=2010-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719130110/http://www.kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/kko/a/kko_a-39.html|archive-date=2011-07-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>


An outbreak of [[Plague (disease)|plague]] in 1711 which killed an estimated 23,000 citizens put the existing burial sites under so much pressure that up to five coffins were sometimes buried on top of each other. This led to the establishment of five new cemeteries on the periphery of the city, but just inside the city walls, while the military [[Garnisons Cemetery]] was relocated to a site next to that of Holmens Cemetery.
An outbreak of [[Plague (disease)|plague]] in 1711 which killed an estimated 23,000 citizens put the existing burial sites under so much pressure that up to five coffins were sometimes buried on top of each other. This led to the establishment of five new cemeteries on the periphery of the city, but just inside the city walls, while the military [[Garrison Cemetery, Copenhagen|Garrison Cemetery]] was relocated to a site next to that of Holmen Cemetery.


===Establishment of the new cemetery===
===Establishment of the new cemetery===
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[[Image:Liighuset paa Assistents Kierkegaard d. 21. Aug. 1823.png|thumb|[[Ole Jørgen Rawert]]: ''Assistens Cemetery, 26 August 1825'']]
[[Image:Liighuset paa Assistents Kierkegaard d. 21. Aug. 1823.png|thumb|[[Ole Jørgen Rawert]]: ''Assistens Cemetery, 26 August 1825'']]
[[Image:Assistens Kirkegård - Graverboligen 1884.png|thumb|The Gravedigger's House in 1884]]
[[Image:Assistens Kirkegård - Graverboligen 1884.png|thumb|The Gravedigger's House in 1884]]
Around that time, excursions to the cemetery with picnic baskets and tea became a popular activity among common citizens of Copenhagen. In his account of a visit to Copenhagen in 1827, the [[Sweden|Swedish]] poet [[Karl August Nicander]] fondly remembers Assistens Cemetery:<ref name=Selskabet/> {{Quote|''In order to enjoy another softer, quieter celebration, I walked out one evening through Nørre Port (the North Gate) to the so-called Assistens Cemetery. It is certainly one of the most beautiful graveyards in Europe. Leafy trees, dark paths, bright open flowery expanses, temples shaded by poplars, marble tombs overhung by weeping willows, and urns or crosses wrapped in swathes of roses, fragrance and bird song, all transform this place of death into a little paradise.''<ref>Translation from Danish by Wikipedia editor ''Ipigott''.</ref>|[[Karl August Nicander]] }}
Around that time, excursions to the cemetery with picnic baskets and tea became a popular activity among common citizens of Copenhagen. In his account of a visit to Copenhagen in 1827, the [[Sweden|Swedish]] poet [[Karl August Nicander]] fondly remembers Assistens Cemetery:<ref name=Selskabet/>
{{Quote|''In order to enjoy another softer, quieter celebration, I walked out one evening through Nørre Port (the North Gate) to the so-called Assistens Cemetery. It is certainly one of the most beautiful graveyards in Europe. Leafy trees, dark paths, bright open flowery expanses, temples shaded by poplars, marble tombs overhung by weeping willows, and urns or crosses wrapped in swathes of roses, fragrance and bird song, all transform this place of death into a little paradise.''<ref>Translation from Danish by Wikipedia editor ''Ipigott''.</ref>|[[Karl August Nicander]] }}


The excursions sometimes evolved into rowdy gatherings and legislation was passed to prevent this. A commission established in 1805 issued instructions which prohibited the consumption of food or drink as well as music or any other kind of cheerful behaviour in the cemetery. The gravediggers, who lived on the premises, were to enforce these restrictions but they seem to have taken their duties lightly. Legislation from 1813 prohibited them to sell alcohol to visitors to the cemetery. Despite all these efforts, the desired peace and quiet was a long time in coming. For particularly grand funerals, crowds of spectators would gather, and people would festoon the cemetery walls to get a better view. To reduce numbers of visitors, there was talk of introducing admission fees, but this was never carried out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guldalder.dk/place10 |title=10. Assistens Kirkegaard |publisher=Golden Days |accessdate=2010-01-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124556/http://www.guldalder.dk/place10 |archivedate=2011-07-19 }}</ref>
The excursions sometimes evolved into rowdy gatherings and legislation was passed to prevent this. A commission established in 1805 issued instructions which prohibited the consumption of food or drink as well as music or any other kind of cheerful behaviour in the cemetery. The gravediggers, who lived on the premises, were to enforce these restrictions but they seem to have taken their duties lightly. Legislation from 1813 prohibited them to sell alcohol to visitors to the cemetery. Despite all these efforts, the desired peace and quiet was a long time in coming. For particularly grand funerals, crowds of spectators would gather, and people would festoon the cemetery walls to get a better view. To reduce numbers of visitors, there was talk of introducing admission fees, but this was never carried out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guldalder.dk/place10 |title=10. Assistens Kirkegaard |publisher=Golden Days |access-date=2010-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124556/http://www.guldalder.dk/place10 |archive-date=2011-07-19 }}</ref>


==Assistens Cemetery today==
==Assistens Cemetery today==
[[File:H. C. Andersen grave 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Danish author [[Hans Christian Andersen]]'s grave (replaced memorial stone)]]
[[File:H. C. Andersen grave 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Danish author [[Hans Christian Andersen]]'s grave (replaced memorial stone)]]
The cemetery is still serving its original purpose as a burial ground but is also a popular [[tourist attraction]], as well as the largest and most important greenspace in the inner part of the Nørrebro district.
The cemetery is still serving its original purpose as a burial ground but is also a popular [[tourist attraction]], as well as the largest and most important green space in the inner part of the Nørrebro district.


It is divided into sections. The oldest part is Section A and features the graves of [[Søren Kierkegaard]] and the painter [[Christen Købke]] among others. Section D is dedicated to religious minorities, containing [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Calvinism|Reformed]] graves as well as [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russia]]n graves. Section E is the section which originally served under [[Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen)|Church of Our Lady]].<ref name=Selskabet/>
It is divided into sections. The oldest part is Section A and features the graves of [[Søren Kierkegaard]] and the painter [[Christen Købke]] among others. Section D is dedicated to religious minorities, containing [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Calvinism|Reformed]] graves as well as [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russia]]n graves. Section E is the section which originally served under [[Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen)|Church of Our Lady]].<ref name=Selskabet/>


==Herman Stilling Museum==
==Herman Stilling Museum==
In 2003 an old horse stable in a corner of Assistens Cemetery was converted into a small museum dedicated to writer and artist [[Herman Stilling]], a native to the Nørrebro area and mainly known for painting trolls. Apart from the permanent exhibition, the museum also contains an exhibition space for special exhibitions, a picture workshop for children and young people, and a café.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realdania.dk/Projekter/Byen/Herman+Stilling+Museum.aspx|title=Herman Stilling Museum |publisher=Realdania|accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref>
In 2003 an old horse stable in a corner of Assistens Cemetery was converted into a small museum dedicated to writer and artist [[Herman Stilling]], a native to the Nørrebro area and mainly known for painting trolls. Apart from the permanent exhibition, the museum also contains an exhibition space for special exhibitions, a picture workshop for children and young people, and a café.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realdania.dk/Projekter/Byen/Herman+Stilling+Museum.aspx|title=Herman Stilling Museum|publisher=Realdania|access-date=2010-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719131535/http://www.realdania.dk/Projekter/Byen/Herman+Stilling+Museum.aspx|archive-date=2011-07-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Notable interments==
==Notable interments==
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* [[Christian Arntzen]]
* [[Christian Arntzen]]
* [[Johan Samuel Augustin]]
* [[Johan Samuel Augustin]]
* [[Oluf Lundt Bang (læge)|Oluf Lundt Bang]]
* [[Ole Bang|Oluf Lundt Bang]]
* [[Peter Georg Bang]]
* [[Peter Georg Bang]]
* [[Christian Bastholm]]
* [[Christian Bastholm]]
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* [[Dorte-Maria Bjarnov]]
* [[Dorte-Maria Bjarnov]]
* [[Claes Birch]]
* [[Claes Birch]]
* [[H.W. Bissen]]
* [[H. W. Bissen]]
* [[Louis Bobé]]
* [[Louis Bobé]]
* [[Allan Bock]]
* [[Allan Bock]]
Line 83: Line 86:
* [[Giertrud Birgitte Bodenhoff]]
* [[Giertrud Birgitte Bodenhoff]]
* [[Christian Bohr]]
* [[Christian Bohr]]
* [[Harald Bohr]]
* [[Harald Bohr]]
* [[Niels Bohr]]
* [[Niels Bohr]]
* [[Robert Bojesen]]
* [[Robert Bojesen]]
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* [[Wilhelm Bähncke]]
* [[Wilhelm Bähncke]]
* [[Ludvig Bødtcher]]
* [[Ludvig Bødtcher]]
* [[P.C. Bønecke]]
* [[P. C. Bønecke]]
* [[Etta Cameron]]
* [[Etta Cameron]]
* [[Karen Caspersen]]
* [[Karen Caspersen]]
* [[Peter Atke Castberg]]
* [[Peter Atke Castberg]]
* [[John Christensen (maler)|John Christensen]]
* [[John Christensen (painter)|John Christensen]]
* [[Villads Christensen]]
* [[Villads Christensen]]
* [[Ernst Christiansen]]
* [[Ernst Christiansen]]
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* [[Astrid Friis]]
* [[Astrid Friis]]
* [[Johannes Frederik Frølich]]
* [[Johannes Frederik Frølich]]
* [[G.E.C. Gad]]
* [[G. E. C. Gad]]
* [[Ludvig Gade]]
* [[Ludvig Gade]]
* [[Vincenzo Galeotti]]
* [[Vincenzo Galeotti]]
* [[Peter Gemzøe]]
* [[Jens Giødwad]]
* [[Jens Giødwad]]
* [[Emanuel Gregers]]
* [[Emanuel Gregers]]
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* [[Hugo Gyldmark]]
* [[Hugo Gyldmark]]
* [[Inger-Lise Gaarde]]
* [[Inger-Lise Gaarde]]
* [[P.C. Hagemann]]
* [[P. C. Hagemann]]
* [[Andreas Hallander]]
* [[Andreas Hallander]]
* [[Søren Hallar]]
* [[Søren Hallar]]
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* [[Rudolph Hansen]]
* [[Rudolph Hansen]]
* [[Rasmus Harboe]]
* [[Rasmus Harboe]]
* [[C.F. Harsdorff]]
* [[C. F. Harsdorff]]
* [[Otto Haslund]]
* [[Otto Haslund]]
* [[Sven Hauptmann]]
* [[Sven Hauptmann]]
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* [[Christian Severin Henrichsen]]
* [[Christian Severin Henrichsen]]
* [[Christian Ludvig August Herforth]]
* [[Christian Ludvig August Herforth]]
* [[Johan Daniel Herholdt (læge)|Johan Daniel Herholdt]]
* [[Johan Daniel Herholdt (physician)|Johan Daniel Herholdt]]
* [[Henrik Hertz]]
* [[Henrik Hertz]]
* [[Christian Frederik Hetsch]]
* [[Christian Frederik Hetsch]]
* [[Georg Hilker]]
* [[Georg Hilker]]
* [[Niels Peter Hillebrandt|N.P. Hillebrandt]]
* [[Niels Peter Hillebrandt|N. P. Hillebrandt]]
* [[Tage Hind]]
* [[Tage Hind]]
* [[Theodor Hirth]]
* [[Theodor Hirth]]
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* [[Niels Henrik Holst]]
* [[Niels Henrik Holst]]
* [[Ferdinand Hoppe]]
* [[Ferdinand Hoppe]]
* [[C.F.E. Horneman]]
* [[C. F. E. Horneman]]
* [[Emil Horneman]]
* [[Emil Horneman]]
* [[Christian Hornemann]]
* [[Christian Hornemann]]
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* [[R.P. Ipsen]]
* [[R.P. Ipsen]]
* [[Christen Jacobsen]]
* [[Christen Jacobsen]]
* [[Palle Jacobsen (billedhugger)|Palle Jacobsen]]
* [[Palle Jacobsen (sculptor)|Palle Jacobsen]]
* [[Birger Jensen]]
* [[Birger Jensen (actor)|Birger Jensen]]
* [[Frederik Jensen]]
* [[Frederik Jensen]]
* [[Valdemar Jensen]]
* [[Valdemar Jensen]]
* [[Christian Magdalus Jespersen (politiker)|Christian Magdalus Jespersen]]
* [[Christian Magdalus Jespersen (politician)|Christian Magdalus Jespersen]]
* [[Christian Magdalus Jespersen (læge)|Christian Magdalus Jespersen]]
* [[Christian Magdalus Jespersen (physician)|Christian Magdalus Jespersen]]
* [[Ejner Johansson]]
* [[Ejner Johansson]]
* [[Johannes Frederik Johnstrup|J.F. Johnstrup]]
* [[Johannes Frederik Johnstrup|J.F. Johnstrup]]
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* [[Jens Juel (painter)|Jens Juel]]
* [[Jens Juel (painter)|Jens Juel]]
* [[Finn Juhl]]
* [[Finn Juhl]]
* [[Pia Juul]]
* [[Karen Jønsson]]
* [[Karen Jønsson]]
* [[Ellen Jørgensen]]
* [[Ellen Jørgensen]]
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* [[Florian Larsen]]
* [[Florian Larsen]]
* [[Johannes Ephraim Larsen]]
* [[Johannes Ephraim Larsen]]
* [[Jørgen Larsen (billedhugger)|Jørgen Larsen]]
* [[Jørgen Larsen (sculptor)|Jørgen Larsen]]
* [[Jørn Larsen]]
* [[Jørn Larsen]]
* [[Knud Larsen (maler)|Knud Larsen]]
* [[Knud Larsen]]
* [[Edvard Lembcke]]
* [[Edvard Lembcke]]
* [[Frederik L. Levy]]
* [[Frederik L. Levy]]
Line 229: Line 234:
* [[Carl Lundbye]]
* [[Carl Lundbye]]
* [[Bianco Luno]]
* [[Bianco Luno]]
* [[Poul de Løvenørn (søofficer)|Poul de Løvenørn]]
* [[Poul de Løvenørn]]
* [[Carl F. Madsen]]
* [[Carl F. Madsen]]
* [[Finn Ejnar Madsen]]
* [[Finn Ejnar Madsen]]
Line 237: Line 242:
* [[Peter Malberg]]
* [[Peter Malberg]]
* [[Sonja Ferlov Mancoba]]
* [[Sonja Ferlov Mancoba]]
* [[Anne Marie Mangor|Anne Marie "madam" Mangor]]
* [[Anne Marie Mangor|Anne Marie "Madam" Mangor]]
* [[Peter Mariager]]
* [[Peter Mariager]]
* [[Sophus Marstrand]]
* [[Sophus Marstrand]]
* [[Troels Marstrand (bagermester)|Troels Marstrand]]
* [[Troels Marstrand]]
* [[Wilhelm Marstrand]]
* [[Wilhelm Marstrand]]
* [[Hans Lassen Martensen]]
* [[Hans Lassen Martensen]]
* [[Anton Melbye (forfatter)|Anton Melbye]]
* [[Anton Melbye (author)|Anton Melbye]]
* [[Lauritz Melchior]]
* [[Lauritz Melchior]]
* [[Axel Meyer]]
* [[Axel Meyer]]
* [[Fritz Meyer (blikkenslager)|Fritz Meyer]]
* [[Fritz Meyer]]
* [[Adam Ludvig Moltke]]
* [[Adam Ludvig Moltke]]
* [[Kate Mundt]]
* [[Kate Mundt]]
Line 253: Line 258:
* [[Alfred Møller]]
* [[Alfred Møller]]
* [[Axel Møller]]
* [[Axel Møller]]
* [[Carl Møller (forfatter)|Carl Møller]]
* [[Carl Møller (author)|Carl Møller]]
* [[Julie Møller]]
* [[Julie Møller]]
* [[Poul Martin Møller]]
* [[Poul Martin Møller]]
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* [[Henriette Nielsen]]
* [[Henriette Nielsen]]
* [[Lean Nielsen]]
* [[Lean Nielsen]]
* [[Peter Nielsen (skuespiller)|Peter Nielsen]]
* [[Peter Nielsen (actor)|Peter Nielsen]]
* [[Johan Nilsson i Skottlandshus|Johan Nilsson]]
* [[Johan Nilsson i Skottlandshus|Johan Nilsson]]
* [[Henrik S. Nissen]]
* [[Henrik S. Nissen]]
Line 274: Line 279:
* [[Olga Ott]]
* [[Olga Ott]]
* [[Carl Otto]]
* [[Carl Otto]]
* [[Joseph Owen (businessman)|Joseph Owen]]
* [[Ulrich Peter Overby]]
* [[Ulrich Peter Overby]]
* [[Holger Simon Paulli]]
* [[Holger Simon Paulli]]
Line 319: Line 325:
* [[Johan Adam Schwartz]]
* [[Johan Adam Schwartz]]
* [[Johan Georg Schwartz]]
* [[Johan Georg Schwartz]]
* [[Clara Schønfeld]]
* [[Clara Schønfeld]]
* [[Emmy Schønfeld]]
* [[Emmy Schønfeld]]
* [[Giuseppe Siboni]]
* [[Giuseppe Siboni]]
Line 325: Line 331:
* [[P.C. Skovgaard]]
* [[P.C. Skovgaard]]
* [[Caspar Wilhelm Smith]]
* [[Caspar Wilhelm Smith]]
* [[Per Sonne (kustmaler)|Per Sonne]]
* [[Per Sonne (artist)|Per Sonne]]
* [[Petrine Sonne]]
* [[Petrine Sonne]]
* [[Andreas Schack Steenberg]]
* [[Andreas Schack Steenberg]]
* [[Japetus Steenstrup]]
* [[Japetus Steenstrup]]
* [[Johannes Steenstrup]]
* [[Johannes Steenstrup]]
* [[Ernst Vilhelm Stibolt]]
* [[Ernst Wilhelm Stibolt]]
* [[Johanne Stockmarr]]
* [[Johanne Stockmarr]]
* [[Edvard Storm]]
* [[Edvard Storm]]
Line 340: Line 346:
* [[Jazz-Kay Sørensen]]
* [[Jazz-Kay Sørensen]]
* [[Søren Sørensen (orientalist)|Søren Sørensen]]
* [[Søren Sørensen (orientalist)|Søren Sørensen]]
* [[Theodor Sørensen (arkitekt)|Theodor Sørensen]]
* [[Theodor Sørensen (architect)|Theodor Sørensen]]
* [[Thorvald Sørensen]]
* [[Thorvald Sørensen]]
* [[C.A.F. Thomsen]]
* [[C.A.F. Thomsen]]
* [[Emma Thomsen (skuespiller)|Emma Thomsen]]
* [[Emma Thomsen]]
* [[Magdalene Thoresen]]
* [[Magdalene Thoresen]]
* [[Jens Jørgen Thorsen]]
* [[Jens Jørgen Thorsen]]
Line 360: Line 366:
* [[Mogens Vantore]]
* [[Mogens Vantore]]
* [[Frederik Vermehren]]
* [[Frederik Vermehren]]
* [[Martha Værn]]
* [[Martha Wærn]] (1741{{ndash}}1812). philanthropist
* [[Morten Værn]]
* [[Morten Wærn]]
* [[Gregers Wad]]
* [[Gregers Wad]]
* [[Eugen Warming]]
* [[Eugen Warming]]
Line 374: Line 380:
* [[Anton Wilhelm Wiehe]]
* [[Anton Wilhelm Wiehe]]
* [[Michael Wiehe]]
* [[Michael Wiehe]]
* [[Charlotte Wiehe-Berény]]
* [[Carl Winsløw]]
* [[Carl Winsløw]]
* [[Anna Wulff]]
* [[William Christopher Zeise]]
* [[William Christopher Zeise]]
* [[Otto F. Zeltner]]
* [[Otto F. Zeltner]]
Line 383: Line 391:
* [[Marie Zinck]]
* [[Marie Zinck]]
* [[Otto Zinck]]
* [[Otto Zinck]]
* [[H.C. Ørsted]]
* [[Hans Christian Ørsted]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==Further reading==
* Kofped. Hans: ''[https://slaegtsbibliotek.dk/935373.pdf Gravene og inspektørene]''
* [[Parks and open spaces in Copenhagen]]


==References==
==References==
Line 397: Line 405:
* [http://www.kbh-kirkegaarde.kk.dk/default.asp?id=1 Copenhagen's cemeteries main site (in Danish only)]
* [http://www.kbh-kirkegaarde.kk.dk/default.asp?id=1 Copenhagen's cemeteries main site (in Danish only)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120320125247/http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_publikationer/pdf/484_uk-folder.pdf Folder about Assistens Cemetery in English (PDF format)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120320125247/http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_publikationer/pdf/484_uk-folder.pdf Folder about Assistens Cemetery in English (PDF format)]
* {{Find a Grave cemetery}}
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GRid=8734&CRid=639623& Assistens Cemetery at Find A Grave]
* [http://assistens.dk/kapellet/ Chapel]
* [http://assistens.dk/kapellet/ Chapel]

* [http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2026375/ODENSE%20(ASSISTENS)%20CEMETERY CWGC: Odense (Assistens) Cemetery]
* [http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2026375/ODENSE%20(ASSISTENS)%20CEMETERY CWGC: Odense (Assistens) Cemetery]
* [https://docplayer.dk/216067437-Vestindien-paa-assistens-kirkegaard-i-koebenhavn.html Map with some locations]
{{Copenhagen parks}}
{{Copenhagen parks}}

{{Nørrebro}}
{{Nørrebro}}
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{{Copenhagen}}


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[[Category:1760 establishments in Denmark]]

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[[Category:Burials at Assistens Cemetery (Copenhagen)|*]]
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{{Copenhagen}}
[[Category:Cemeteries established in the 18th century]]

[[Category:Cemeteries in Copenhagen]]
[[Category:Cemeteries in Copenhagen]]
[[Category:Lutheran cemeteries]]
[[Category:Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Denmark]]
[[Category:1760 establishments in Denmark]]
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[[Category:Lutheran cemeteries in Denmark]]

[[Category:Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries]]
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[[Category:Burials at Assistens Cemetery (Copenhagen)]]

Revision as of 21:25, 30 July 2024

Assistens Cemetery
Map
Details
Established1760
Location
Nørrebro, Copenhagen
CountryDenmark
Size25 hectares
Websitewww.assistens.dk
Find a GraveAssistens Cemetery

Assistens Cemetery (Danish: Assistens Kirkegård) in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the burial site of many Danish notables as well as an important greenspace in the Nørrebro district. Inaugurated in 1760, it was originally a burial site for the poor laid out to relieve the crowded graveyards inside the walled city, but during the Golden Age in the first half of the 19th century it became fashionable and many leading figures of the epoch, such as Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, and Christen Købke are all buried here.

Late in the 19th century, as Assistens Cemetery had itself become crowded, a number of new cemeteries were established around Copenhagen, including Vestre Cemetery, but through the 20th century, it continued to attract notable people. Among the latter are the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr and a number of American jazz musicians who settled in Copenhagen during the 1950s and 1960s, including Ben Webster and Kenny Drew.

An assistenskirkegård (meaning "assistance cemetery") is originally a generic term in Danish, used to refer to cemeteries which were laid out to assist existing burial sites, usually those located in urban settings in connection with churches, and therefore a number of cemeteries by the same name are found around Denmark.

The cemetery is one of five run by Copenhagen Municipality; the other cemeteries are Vestre Cemetery, Brønshøj Cemetery, Sundby Cemetery, and Bispebjerg Cemetery.

History

Background

Plan of the cemetery from 1800 by Jørgen Henrich Rawert
Plan of the cemetery from c. 1800

In Medieval times intramural interment was the rule although outdoor graveyards gradually became more common. In 1666 the Naval Holmen Cemetery was moved from its original location at Holmen Church to a site outside the Eastern City Gate as the first burial facility to be located outside the city.[1]

An outbreak of plague in 1711 which killed an estimated 23,000 citizens put the existing burial sites under so much pressure that up to five coffins were sometimes buried on top of each other. This led to the establishment of five new cemeteries on the periphery of the city, but just inside the city walls, while the military Garrison Cemetery was relocated to a site next to that of Holmen Cemetery.

Establishment of the new cemetery

In the 1750s the situation deteriorated even further and in a letter of 2 May 1757 the City Council proposed to the Chancellery that a large new cemetery be built for the city's parishes outside the city walls. After some negotiations it was decided to place it outside the Northern City Gate and on 26 May 1757 the new facility was founded by Royal charter. The new cemetery was inaugurated on 6 November 1760. It was enclosed by a wall built by Philip de Lange.[1]

Originally the cemetery was intended as a burial ground for paupers. In 1785 an affluent citizen, astronomic writer and First Secretary of the War Chancellery Johan Samuel Augustin, made specific requests to be interred at the cemetery, in his codicil stating that "Mein Begräbnis soll auf dem Armen-Kirchhofe vor dem Norderthor seyn, wesfalls ich sehon mit Mr. Simon, der dort Gräber ist, gesprochen habe".[1] He was soon followed by other leading figures from the elite and the cemetery soon developed into the most fashionable burial ground of the city.

Ole Jørgen Rawert: Assistens Cemetery, 26 August 1825
The Gravedigger's House in 1884

Around that time, excursions to the cemetery with picnic baskets and tea became a popular activity among common citizens of Copenhagen. In his account of a visit to Copenhagen in 1827, the Swedish poet Karl August Nicander fondly remembers Assistens Cemetery:[1]

In order to enjoy another softer, quieter celebration, I walked out one evening through Nørre Port (the North Gate) to the so-called Assistens Cemetery. It is certainly one of the most beautiful graveyards in Europe. Leafy trees, dark paths, bright open flowery expanses, temples shaded by poplars, marble tombs overhung by weeping willows, and urns or crosses wrapped in swathes of roses, fragrance and bird song, all transform this place of death into a little paradise.[2]

— Karl August Nicander

The excursions sometimes evolved into rowdy gatherings and legislation was passed to prevent this. A commission established in 1805 issued instructions which prohibited the consumption of food or drink as well as music or any other kind of cheerful behaviour in the cemetery. The gravediggers, who lived on the premises, were to enforce these restrictions but they seem to have taken their duties lightly. Legislation from 1813 prohibited them to sell alcohol to visitors to the cemetery. Despite all these efforts, the desired peace and quiet was a long time in coming. For particularly grand funerals, crowds of spectators would gather, and people would festoon the cemetery walls to get a better view. To reduce numbers of visitors, there was talk of introducing admission fees, but this was never carried out.[3]

Assistens Cemetery today

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen's grave (replaced memorial stone)

The cemetery is still serving its original purpose as a burial ground but is also a popular tourist attraction, as well as the largest and most important green space in the inner part of the Nørrebro district.

It is divided into sections. The oldest part is Section A and features the graves of Søren Kierkegaard and the painter Christen Købke among others. Section D is dedicated to religious minorities, containing Roman Catholic and Reformed graves as well as Russian graves. Section E is the section which originally served under Church of Our Lady.[1]

Herman Stilling Museum

In 2003 an old horse stable in a corner of Assistens Cemetery was converted into a small museum dedicated to writer and artist Herman Stilling, a native to the Nørrebro area and mainly known for painting trolls. Apart from the permanent exhibition, the museum also contains an exhibition space for special exhibitions, a picture workshop for children and young people, and a café.[4]

Notable interments

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Assistens Kirkegård". Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  2. ^ Translation from Danish by Wikipedia editor Ipigott.
  3. ^ "10. Assistens Kirkegaard". Golden Days. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  4. ^ "Herman Stilling Museum". Realdania. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
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55°41′28″N 12°32′58″E / 55.69111°N 12.54944°E / 55.69111; 12.54944

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