- published: 06 Apr 2016
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Roskilde (Danish pronunciation: [ˈʁʌskilə]) is the main city in Roskilde Municipality. It lies on the island of Zealand, Denmark.
The city is ancient, dating from the Viking Age and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.
Roskilde train station is a major stop between Copenhagen and the regions of Denmark located to its west. With a population of 47,828 (1 January 2012), the city is an economic center for the region.
Roskilde has a pedestrian street running down the center of the city, with many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Several tourist attractions draw visitors from around Denmark and the world. The local university has an education program that invites international students to attend for a year.
According to Adam of Bremen and Saxo Grammaticus, in the 980s, Harald I of Denmark built a church and a royal estate in Roskilde. Saxo Grammaticus associates the name Roskilde with the legendary King Roar who possibly lived there in the 6th century. Harald was buried at the church which is on the same site as today's Roskilde Cathedral.