Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Completed in 1905, Copenhagen's national romantic-style town hall is the work of archi-
tect Martin Nyrop. The building's most famous resident is the curious
Jens Olsen's
tromechanic Jens Olsen (1872-1945) and built at a cost of one million kroner. Not only
does it display local time, but also solar time, sidereal time, sunrises and sunsets, firma-
ment and celestial pole migration, planet revolutions, the Gregorian calendar and even
changing holidays! You can also climb the 105m city hall
tower
(admission Dkr20;
tour
11am & 2pm Mon-Fri, noon Sat, min 4 people)
for a commanding view of the city.
The building's architecture is influenced by both medieval Danish and northern Italian
architecture, the latter most notable in the central, fountain-studded
courtyard
(
9am-4pm daily)
. Adorning the facade above the main entrance is a golden statue of Bishop
Absalon, who founded the city in 1167.
Strøget & the Latin Quarter
Stretching from Rådhuspladsen to Kongens Nytorv, pedestrian shopping street Strøget -
roughly pronounced 'stroll' - weaves its way through Copenhagen's historical core. Tech-
nically consisting of five continuous streets, this is the city's 'Main Street' - a restless rib-
bon of shoppers, camera-toting tourists and street performers of varying talent. At its west-
ern end, it's a tacky medley of souvenir stores, mediocre fashion brands and kebab shops.
The scene improves further east towards Kongens Nytorv, where you'll find flagship
design and department stores, as well as luxury fashion boutiques. This said, many of
these retail stores peddle ubiquitous global brands, broken up by average, over-priced
cafes and restaurants. Our suggestion? Walk down it once, then slip into the side streets for
an altogether more inspiring and intimate vibe.
Rundetårn
HISTORIC BUILDING
late May-late Sep, reduced hrs rest of year; observatory usually 7-9pm Tue & Wed Oct & Mar, 6-9pm
Tue & Wed Nov-Feb; 5A, 14, 11A, Nørreport)
Haul yourself to the top of the 34.8m-high, red-brick 'Round Tower' and you will be fol-
lowing in the footsteps of such luminaries as King Christian IV, who built the tower in
1642 as an observatory for the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe. You'll also be following
