Hoved Kirken i Christiania by John William Edy (1760 – 1820)
No. LI. GREAT CHURCH AT CHRISTIANIA. This Cathedral Church is situated nearly in the centre of the city, forming one side of the great square. Its form is that of the Greek cross. On the south transept over the upper windows, is inscribed the date, 1624, in which year the old town of Opsloe was burnt. The style throughout the edifice is Saxon Gothic. The high roof is covered with a dark glazed pantile. There was originally an elegant spire, which is supposed to have been accidentally struck down by the guns of the garrison, during the attempt made to drive Charles XII, and his army, from the possession of the city. Soon after that period, the present cap was added to the great western tower, and the project of replacing the spire appears to have been abandoned. On the side fronting the observer, is an ancient clock, and below it a sun-dial. On another side over the great door, are the king's arms, his three crowns, Christian V, &c. On the outside of the church, are several covered staircases, for the convenient access of particular families, to their pews or rooms, which are surrounded with glass sashes within. There is an extensive burial ground on the right, within a strong pallisado, bordered by a row of trees. The whole was encompassed with a stone wall, having gothic entrances, decorated with the king's arms. It was deemed expedient to have another burial ground, at a little distance from the town, when the part of the old wall, seen on the left of the picture, was taken down, and the void space to the pales, was added to the square. The church, within, is spacious and convenient, having a good altar, pulpit, stained glass windows, organ, baptismal font, pews, &c, with a throne for the king, and another for the bishop. Some flags and other trophies are suspended from its walls, particularly two, one yellow, the other red. The monuments, tablets, and other appropriate mementos of noble families, are too numerous to mention. Among the names of the defunct, are those of Mr. Collett of Ulivold, and of some ladies who were natives of England. Their remains rest in company with the venerated reliques of one, who as a merchant, ranked high, still higher as a man. The sepulchre is bedewed with many a silent tear, where he and his lady sleep in the secure hope of receiving the blessings reserved as a reward for a life of virtue. To a Norwegian, this apostrophe needs no explanation : it is for the information of my countrymen, that I record the name of this illustrious individual, Bernard Anker. He died in Copenhagen, and his corpse being removed by sea, was interred at Christiania with those impressive and solemn obsequies, which testify the public feeling of a great national loss. The division of Christiania, between the cathedral and the garrison of Aggerhus, is regularly built, having spacious streets at right angles, with fountains at the intersections. Those which project towards the castle, are completely commanded by its guns. When the intrepid Charles XII had occupied this city, he was often seen from the batteries unattended in the streets, reconnoitring the castle, of which he never obtained possession. Many shots were aimed at him that are now to be seen fast in the walls of several houses, where they are carefully preserved in their positions, and gilt on the parts still visible, as a memento of the fact.