Up ahead, you'll see a striking white statue standing tall against a glowing golden wall. As you get closer, look for a figure with flowing robes, gentle eyes, and open arms, almost as if he’s about to offer you a big, comforting hug. His hands are stretched out, and right beneath his feet, you’ll see an inscription in Danish. Two elegant white candles keep him company on either side. This is the Christus statue-easy to spot, trust me. If you stand right in front, you’ll get the perfect view as his marble eyes seem to look right at you.
Imagine yourself in 1833. The city is rebuilding after the horrors of war, fires have scorched the heart of Copenhagen, and hope feels a bit shaky. Out of the silence, a new masterpiece appears. Here stands Jesus, sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen, his arms wide open-almost like he’s saying, “Come on in, you’re safe now.” And just in case you missed the message, the base literally says, “Kommer til mig”-which means “Come unto me.”
Now, here’s a fun fact: this isn’t just a local celebrity. The Christus has so many copies around the world, you could call it the pop star of statues! Chicago, Houston, Norway, even a giant version made out of 30,000 LEGO bricks in Sweden-this Jesus definitely gets around. The one you see here was made from glowing white Carrara marble, and even before the marble arrived, they put up a plaster version for the church’s reopening. They just couldn’t wait!
Take in the peaceful feeling for a moment. Imagine candles flickering, the sound of footsteps on ancient floors, and the faint echo of centuries-old hymns bouncing off the walls. There’s a gentle power here-a quiet strength in that invitation to come closer. And as you gaze up at the statue’s open hands, remember that you’re standing right where history meets hope.
Don’t forget to look for the scars on his hands-a little detail that carries a pretty big story. And hey, if you ever see another Christus statue on your travels, you can smile and think, “I know your roots!”
Want to explore the original sculpture, sites of replicas or the lds church use in more depth? Join me in the chat section for a detailed discussion.
