Knippel's Bridge

One of the two major bridges of Copenhagen is Knippel's Bridge (Knippels Bro in Danish). But who was Mr. Knippel?

Knippel's Bridge with a tram in 1969
Source: www.tog-billeder.dk

Facts

• Built: 1935-1937
• Length: 115 m
• Width: 27,4 m
• Type: bascule bridge

From defence works to a bascule bridge

The first bridge in the Harbour of Copenhagen was built by (not surprisingly) IV Christian king of Denmark. Most of today's architecture sights in Copenhagen were raised by this king. That bridge, which was constructed between 1618-1620, connected the old city with the new defence works called Christianshavn. Christianshavn (today name of a district) had the purpose to protect the city from attack coming form the see. Today's bridge is the latest 'descendent' of the original bridge from the 17th century.

Burmeister Bridge
Source: www.chrarkiv.dk

Later in 1712 the original bridge was replaced by a new wooden one. This wooden bridge is notable because of the four Hercules statues, that were erected as decorations.

A century later, in 1816, the wooden bridge was rebuilt once again, however instead of the four Hercules statues they decorated it with four wooden figures called: The Four Winds.

As the wooden structure became outdated, a new iron bridge was built next to the old one in 1869, according to the plans of Burmeister and Wain Company. Hence, locals called the new iron bridge 'Burmeister Bridge'.

200 kronor banknote

In 1908 a new iron bridge was built by the architect Axel Berg.

Finally in 1937 the Knippel's Bridge gained its recent shape by Kaj Gottlob architect, who totally rebuilt the bridge.

Mr. Knippel

Initially the bridge was called 'Great Amager Bridge' or 'Long Bridge' (Don't mix it up with the Langebro, which is the other or the two present bridges). However, the local population started to call the bridge Knippel's Bridge after Hans Knippel, who was the caretaker and toll collector of the bridge and his house (Knippel's House) stood at the Amager side of the bridge.

Knippel's Bridge with tram line nr. 2
Source: www.vognstyrer.dk

Interesting

This bridge is drawn on the 200 kronor banknote since 2009.

From 1863 until 1972 many trams were running on the streets of Copenhagen until a political decision was made to replace them with buses. Tram line nr. 2 was crossing the harbour on Knippel's Bridge (see picture up and to the right).

The characteristic green control tower of the bridge is rarely used anymore as it is very unusual nowadays to open up the bascule bridge. However, the distinct green tower is still a symbolic part of the capital city and even appears in movies like the 'Olsen-bandens sidste be drifter' from 1974.

Video

The video shows Knippel's Bridge in 1969 (from 1' 5 sec).

Frederiksberg Town Hall

The town hall of this little enclave within Copenhagen, the Frederisberg Municipality Town Hall (Frederiksber Rådhus) offers a spectacular view and music from its Clock Tower.

Facts

Frederiksberg Town Hall
Source: Det Kongelige Biblioteks billedsambling

• Built: 1942-1953
• Height of the clock tower: 60 meters
• Address: Smallegade 1-3, Frederiksberg
• Telephone: +45 3821 2121

Background

Since the Frederiksberg Municipality experienced a population growth the council decided to erect a new town hall, that could provide sufficient workplace for the growing number of public servants. The architect of the building is the Danish Henning Hansen, who actually died in 1945, seven years before the town hall was inaugurated.

Interesting

A mechanic in the control door of the clock.
Source: www.taarnurmageren.dk

Shortly after the construction was begun the works had to be suspended and delayed because of the events of the Second World War. The building was only finished and opened in 1953, more than ten years after the constructions started.

Nowadays there are more than 800 public servants working in the building every day.

There is chimes every day five times from the clock tower. They play different melodies adjusted to the season at 9,12, 15, 18, and 22 o'clock. You can find the program by clicking here.

Useful hint

If you want to visit the Town Hall of Frederiksberg you can do that on the first Saturday of every month. Groups can also book other appointments for the visit. During the guided tour you have the chance to see the wedding hall, a huge painting by Sikker Hansen, the city council meeting room, the event hall, and the Clock Tower. The latter one is 60 meters tall compared to the street level.

Video about the clock tower from 1953

The Marble Church

The Marble Church (Marmorkirken or Frederiks Kirke) is easy to be spotted because of its outstanding green copper dome. It lies near the Amalienborg castle, which is the official residence of the Danish queen and her family. Nowadays the church is serving as a popular wedding site and touristic attraction, and belongs to the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The original plan of the church.
Source: http://marmorkirken.dk/index.php?page=galleri

Facts

• Built: 1754-1894
• Height: 46 meters
• Address: Frederiksgade 4
• Telephone: +45 3315 0144
• Website: www.marmorkirken.dk
• Entrance fee: DKK 35 (Adults), DKK 20 (Students and youth under 18)

Marble?

Most of the church is constructed of Norwegian marble, however, the upper parts are built from different materials (For example Danish faxe marble). This is because the original plan turned out to be too expensive to carry out, hence they had to cut the amount of costly Norwegian marble.

Architecture

According to the original plans the Marble church was erected to honour the anniversary of the Danish royal family's (the Oldenburg dynasty) 300 years reign. Initially Nicolai Eigtved made the plans (see on the upper picture) in 1740 in rococo style. Nine years after King Frederik himself laid the foundation stone. When Eigtved died in 1754 the plans for the church were modified by Nicolas Henri Jardin, a French architect. The constructions was stopped because of budgetary reasons, and only finished in 1894.

The completed church.
Source: http://marmorkirken.dk/index.php?page=galleri

One of  the largest...

The dome has a majestic 46 metres high. There are 12 pillars that carry the dome.  The diameter of  the dome is 31 metres, which makes this dome one of the largest domes in Europe, and the larges church in Denmark.

Interesting

The construction was stopped for years because of lack of funding. Finally, it was a rich financier C.F. Tietgen (founder of the Tuborg brewery)  who donated money to complete the construction. 

Video

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.

Video

Article by Breana Johnson