Christ Church, Bergen

Outline of Christ Church. The hedge is placed where the outer walls are thought to have been.

Christ Church or the Old Cathedral on Holmen (Kristkirken på Holmen i Bergen) was the main church and cathedral of Bergen.

The church was built by King Olav Kyrre during the period 1066-1093. The church was situated north of Haakon's hall, the King's hall. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity but was always known as Christ Church. In 1170 the relics of Saint Sunniva were moved here from Selja and placed on the main altar.

During Bergen's period as the capital of Norway in the 13th century, Holmen and Christ Church was the political centre of the country. The church itself was used for negotiations and the churchyard was used for hailing of kings and meetings of the realm. The first coronation in Scandinavia was held in Bergen in 1163 and several royal coronations were held in the church when it was finished. The kings were also married and buried in the church.

In 1531 the church was levelled to the ground by order of Bille, the Danish governor of Bergenhus Fortress.

Today the outline of the church is marked by a hedge. A memorial to Saint Sunniva and the royals buried there is placed on the site of the high altar.

Coronations

Coronation	Picture	Name	Reign	Other regnal titles
1163/1164		Magnus V Erlingsson	1161 - June 15, 1184
June 29, 1194		Sverre Sigurdsson	1184 - March 9, 1202
July 29, 1247		Haakon IV Haakonsson (Håkon IV Håkonsson) with Queen Margrete	1217 - December 16, 1263
September 14, 1261		Magnus VI the law-mender (Magnus VI Lagabøte) with Queen Ingeborg	December 16, 1263 - May 9, 1280
1280		Eric II Magnusson (Eirik II Magnusson)	May 9, 1280–1299
1281		Margaret of Scotland (consort of Eric II Magnusson)

Burials

Burial	Picture	Name	Reign	Other regnal titles
Moved to Bergen 1170		Saint Sunniva	lived in the 10th century
1202		Sverre Sigurdsson	1184 - March 9, 1202
1204		Håkon Sverresson	1202–1204
1263		Haakon IV Haakonsson (Håkon IV Håkonsson)	1217 - December 16, 1263
1283		Margaret of Scotland, Queen of Norway consort of Eirik Magnusson
1290		Margaret, Maid of Norway, Queen of Scots	1286–1290
1299		Eric II Magnusson (Eirik II Magnusson)	May 9, 1280–1299

External links

• Østenfor Nordsjøen - vestenfor Langfjella

Coordinates: 60°24′01″N 5°19′00″E / 60.4003°N 5.31671°E / 60.4003; 5.31671