Reformation Memorial, Memorial obelisk in Bispetorv, Denmark.
The Reformation Memorial is a granite obelisk at Bispetorv with four bronze reliefs depicting significant moments of religious change in Denmark. Each relief is accompanied by inscriptions on the stone steps beneath it, explaining the historical background of the events shown.
The monument was unveiled in 1943 during German occupation, stemming from a 1936 committee established to mark 400 years since Denmark's Lutheran transition. Its construction fell during a turbulent period in Danish history.
The bronze panels depict key moments such as Christian III's confirmation of Lutheran reform and the ordination of Denmark's first bishops of this faith. These scenes show how religious transformation shaped community life and belief practices across the kingdom.
The memorial sits in a busy central square that is easy to walk to from major routes and accessible on foot. The inscriptions are best read in daylight and offer detail about each scene depicted.
One relief shows armed men attempting to arrest Hans Tavsen as he preaches at Greyfriars Church in Viborg, a scene that captures a lesser-known moment of danger during the religious upheaval. This detail is often missed by visitors who glance at the monument briefly.
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