Long-lost convent rediscovered under a soccer field in Denmark

A medieval convent, believed to be lost, has been discovered beneath a soccer field in Roskilde, Denmark using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The 13th-century St Clare's Convent was located approximately 1 meter below the ground surface at the Byparken sports facility. Historical sources indicate that the convent was one of five monasteries that contributed to Roskilde's significance during the Middle Ages.

Following the Reformation in the 16th century, the convent was dissolved and demolished, with only half a million bricks sold to Selsø Castle. This discovery provides a unique opportunity to study the convent and its surroundings due to the absence of previous urban development at the site. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with ROMU, the National Museum of Denmark, and NIKU, utilized GPR to map the underground structures, revealing well-preserved room divisions, cloisters, and a church in the southern wing.

The eastern wing appears to be exceptionally well-preserved, with clear traces of vaulting pillars and room divisions. This is the first time that such a well-preserved monastery complex has been documented using GPR in Scandinavia. The findings highlight the potential for further archaeological exploration at the site, aiming to document and preserve the cultural heritage of St Clare's Convent.