Monday, September 22, 2014

Copenhagen Court House

Did you know that the Court House (Københavns Byret) used to be the town hall of Copenhagen for 300 years? If not, read this article and find out more interesting facts about this neoclassical building at Nytorv, Copenhagen.
A postcard from 1910 with the present Court House at Nytorv.
Source: www.indenforvoldene.dk


Facts



  • Built: 1805-1815
  • Style: neoclassicism
  • Adress: Domhuset, Nytorv, 1450 København K
  • Web: www.domstol.dk

Town hall for 300 years

King Christian IV modernised the city centre and Nytorv in the beginning of the 17th century. Then it was decided that the newly erected town hall of Copenhagen will also serve as the city court. The first town hall and court house was built in the Dutch renaissance style (like Rosenborg Castle). Unfortunately the great fire of Copenhagen destroyed the old building in 1795. Hence, it was decided to build a new building with the same joint functions (city hall and court).

The first Court House and Town Hall was burnt down in 1795.
Source: www.copenhagenet.dk

The present Court House

After the fire the constructions started in 1805 and the building was only completed in 1815 because of material shortage and the siege of the city by the British in 1807 during the napoleonic wars. The new building was designed in neoclassical style with a beautiful tympanon and Ionian columns. The designer was the Danish professor and architect C. F. Hansen (he also planned the Church of our Saviour). 

The tympanon

Above the Ionian columns you can see the neoclassical tymoanon with the inscription: "Med lov skal man land bygge" ( With law the country shall be built). This is a quotation from the Jutlandic law Valdemar the Victorious from 1241.
One function
The tympanon of the present Court House.
Source: www.visitcopenhagen.com
In 1905, when the new town hall was finished the city council moved from the Court House to the present Københavns Rådhus at Rådhuspladsen. Since then the Court House has one sole function, the City Court for Copenhagen. This is the largest of the 24 city courts in Denmark.

Movie venue

In the famous Scandinavian series Broen (The Brige) this court house is being used during the trial of a policeman who is accused of abusing a man to death.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

The Round Tower

Source: www.rundetaarn.dk


The Round Tower (Rundetårn), the centre of Denmark

If you’re planning a visit to Copenhagen, be sure to include the Round Tower on your itinerary. In fact, put it on the top of your list! This structure is something you can’t miss, and here is why.

Round Tower Tourism

On your trip to Denmark, be visit the Round Tower. The view from the top of the tower will give you a good idea of the streets below, so you can get an overview of the entire city. The tower has been drawing tourists for centuries. In 1716, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia traveled hundreds of miles on horseback to visit the observatory.

History of the Tower

Like many buildings in Copenhagen, the round tower is quite antiquated. It was built between 1637 and 1642 by Denmark’s King Christian IV. The building was originally a church, observatory, and library. Copenhagen was once well known for its advancements in astronomy, and the tower was used as for observing the heavens. It was also used to measure air temperature and pressure, so one might say that it was the first weather station in Denmark! Today, scientists no longer use the observatory, although amateur still love to watch the stars there.

Architecture

The Round Tower was inspired by Tycho Brahe, one the fathers of astronomy. He envisioned the tower as a university observatory. Sadly, he died in 1601, 40 years before the tower was completed. The tower was designed by Hans van Steenwinckel, who strove to create something both beautiful and functional. His idea was to streamline the tower by creating the complex in a focused and restrained style. The tower is not nearly as tall as today’s skyscrapers, but it was massive for its time, standing at 24,8 meters. It is built in a cylindrical fashion, with a spiraling walkway around the tower’s empty core. Outside, the tower contains red and yellow bricks that were imported from the Netherlands.

The Core of the Tower

In the center of the tower is the famous core. This empty space is important both geographically and economically. Many tourists come to the tower to stand on the sturdy glass floor, which is suspended 25 meters above the ground below. Visitors can stand on the glass and peer between their feet to see the center of the tower far below. When Denmark was triangulated in the 1760s, this core was used as point zero.
Now that you know the basic history of the tower, be sure to visit during your trip to Denmark and learn even more! There is so much fascinating history and information that centers on this structure. Don’t miss it!

If you decide to visit the Round Tower, here are some things you should know. The tower’s address is Købmagergade 52A. If you need help finding it, you can call +45 33 73 03 73. Their website is www.rundetaarn.dk/en/, and their email is post@rundetaarn.dk. The entrance fee to visit the tower is DKK 25 for adults and DKK 5 for children under 15.

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Article by Breana Johnson