Roskilde archaeologists discover lost medieval convent under soccer field

Archaeologists in Roskilde, Denmark, have used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to locate the extensive remains of St. Clare’s Convent, a 13th-century monastic complex previously thought to be lost. The discovery was made beneath a soccer field in Byparken during a survey intended to assess the site for a proposed underground parking garage.

The GPR scans revealed well-preserved structures approximately one meter below the surface, including the convent’s layout, internal divisions, a cloister, and a church in the southern wing. The north and east wings appear particularly intact, showing evidence of pillars and vaulted ceilings.

Historically, St. Clare’s was a significant religious center in Roskilde until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to its dissolution and demolition. Many of its bricks were repurposed for the construction of Selsø Castle. This discovery provides researchers with a rare opportunity to study medieval monastic architecture in Scandinavia.