Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Lapidarium of the Kings;
MAP
;
www.kongerneslapidarium.dk
;
Frederiksholms Kanal
GOOGLE MAP
29; adult/child 4-17yr Dkr50/25;
10am-5pm daily May-Sep, closed Mon rest of yr;
1A, 2A, 9A,
11A, 26, 40, 66, Det Kongelige Bibliotek)
Housed in Christian IV's old brewery, an extraordinary building dating from 1608, the
Lapidarium of the Kings features original royal sculptures from Denmark's castles and gar-
dens. Among these are the original, 18th-century sandstone figures from Normandsdalen
at Fredensborg Slot, unique in their depiction of common Norwegians and Faroese. Even
more extraordinary is French sculptor JFJ Saly's 18th-century equestrian statue of Frederik
V, more than 20 years in the making and more expensive than the entire Amalienborg
Palace when completed.
Considered one of the most beautiful equestrian statues in the world, the work had to be
cut and reassembled to simply fit inside the museum. It's a tight squeeze, with a mere four
centimetres between Frederik V's laurel wreath and the ceiling. Close by stands AC
Lamoureux's dramatic 17th-century sculpture of Christian V on horseback, the first
equestrian-themed statue of a Scandinavian king. Its 20th-century bronze replica now
graces Kongens Nytorv.
Det Kongelige Bibliotek
LIBRARY
8am-7pm Mon-Sat Jul & Aug, to 10pm rest of year;
1A, 2A, 9A, 11A, 26, 40, 66,
Det Kongelige Bib-
liotek)
Scandinavia's largest library consists of two very distinct parts: the original, 19th-century
red-brick building and the head-turning 'Black Diamond' extension, the latter a leaning
parallelogram of sleek black granite and smoke-coloured glass. From the soaring, harbour-
fronting atrium, an escalator leads up to a 210-sq-metre ceiling mural by celebrated Danish
artist Per Kirkeby. Beyond it, at the end of the corridor, is the 'old library' and its
Hogwarts-like northern Reading Room, resplendent with vintage desk lamps and classical
columns.
Aside from housing a complete collection of all Danish printed works produced since
1482, Denmark's national library also hosts fascinating, temporary art, photography and
history exhibitions. It's also home to decent cafe
Øieblikket
and modern Danish restaurant
Søren K
.
