Tourist Attractions & Monuments Copenhagen

The Royal Square is part of a development project commissioned by King Frederik V in 1749 on the occasion of the celebration of the tercentenary of the Oldenburg Dynasty's accession to power. The king's favourite, Count Moltke, was entrusted with the supervision of the project, which was entrusted to the master builder Nicolai Eigtved. The octagonal square, flanked by four palaces, is divided by two perpendicular axes opening onto the gates of Amalie Gade and Frederiks Gade. The project also included the Marble Church and the equestrian statue of the king. Thus, all the powers were thus united there!

The first palace to be completed was the Christian VII Palace or Moltke Palace (named after its first owner) at the corner of Frederiksgade on the southwest side. It was built by Eitgved himself, who decorated the Great Hall, one of the finest examples of Rococo interiors. After the architect's death, his successor, the Frenchman Nicolas-Henri Jardin, furnished the Great Hall for banquets. C.F. Harsdorff in turn converted it into a royal residence. Since 1885 it has been admirably restored and since then it has been used for official guests of the royal family, receptions and guided tours for the public.

The palace of Christian VIII (or Leventzau Palace) occupies the northwest side of the square. It was Lauritz de Thurah who completed the work after Eitgved's death, following the plans of his rival. It was built in the Empire style by Niciolai Abildgaard and now houses the Amalienborg Museum, which houses the Royal Collection of Jewellery and Costume that the ruling family has assembled since their accession to power.

Opposite, in the northeast corner, is the palace of Frederik VIII (or BrockdorffPalace ), also completed by Lauritz de Thurah. It was assigned to the Sea Cadets for a while, before welcoming members of the royal family. Queen Mother Ingrid lived there until her death in September 2000. A complete restoration was carried out in the years 2009-2010 so that the current Crown Prince could move in with his entire family.

Finally, in the south-east, the palace of Christian IX (called the Løvenskiold Palace or Schack Palace) was completed by Philip de Lange in the Louis XVI style. It is here that the royal family found refuge in 1794. King Christian IX resided here between 1863 and 1906, when Harsdorff redesigned the palace. The latter, nicknamed the "father-in-law of Europe", married his three daughters to European monarchs here. Today it is the residence of Sovereign Margrethe II.

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Henning Larsen was chosen by the shipowner's foundation A. P. Moller to draw this Opera House on an island surrounded by canals. Offered to the city and dedicated to Queen Margrethe II, it was inaugurated on 15 January 2005. The result - a perfect success! - soberly blends curves and materials of steel, marble and glass. The architect has surrounded himself with the finest in contemporary design: bronze reliefs in the foyer by Per Arnoldi, chandeliers created by Icelandic architect Olafur Eliasson. The Opera has a huge hall that can accommodate more than 1,500 music lovers.

Nestled at the end of this part of Standgade along the Nordea bank headquarters, is a strange and rather spectacular church. It was built for the German community who obtained the authorization of King Christian VI. A lottery was even organized to finance it. Designed by Nicolai Eigtved in 1759, its interior layout is unusual: a vast quadrilateral surrounded on three sides by three levels of wooden boxes, including the royal box facing the choir.

A beautiful building that this Stock Exchange with its architectural style characteristic of Flemish Mannerism. According to the will of Christian IV, she was raised between 1619 and 1640 by the van Steenwinckel brothers. It stands out from the island of Slotsholmen by its surprising 56-metre high torso spire, standing in the Copenhagen sky. From its base, four dragons intertwine their tails to the top where three crowns symbolizing the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden are superimposed. Its facade is punctuated by numerous sculpted sandstone ornaments.

Copenhagen's Central Station has a lot to impress with its Viking castle look. As the nerve centre of the rail and urban transport network, apart from this functional aspect, it deserves that we take the time to look at it! Designed by Heinrich Wenck in 1911, its architectural style echoes the town hall beyond Tivoli Park. Medieval historicist influences, the modernity of its hall, its 12 quays covered by a metal frame.

A wave gushing out of the ocean! This is the impression given by the architecture of this immense hotel, which is part of the Congress Centre inaugurated in 1965, and which has been constantly enlarged and modernised since then until the construction of the two 15° inclined towers, 77 metres high, designed by the Danish firm 3XN. The Bella Sky Hotel, with its breathtaking panoramic view, is certainly the largest hotel in Scandinavia with 814 rooms. No doubt they were all occupied during the International Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009!

This imposing building with a glass façade reminiscent of a game of Tetris is the DAC. The centre of Danish architecture. Another building of audacity and excess! Indeed, Copenhagen is indeed a capital of modernity: design, archi, urban culture. This is where an experimental laboratory and a mediation space combine to learn all about the world of tomorrow. Exhibitions adapted to all audiences are organized there. If the archi leaves you indifferent, maybe the view from the café on the first floor and its great terrace will tempt you!

Charlottenborg Palace, built from 1672 onwards, owes its name to Queen Mother Charlotte Amalie who bought it in 1699. After the death of its owner, it was assigned to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts as a library (still active). Beyond the inner courtyard, a second building, opening onto Nyhavn, houses the Kunsthal Charlottenborg, a centre for contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions are organized all year round, rather sharp in their approach!