Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square) Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about King’s New Square


 

The King’s New Square famously known as Kongens Nytorv, is a public square in Copenhagen, Denmark, centrally located at the end of the pedestrian street Stroget. It is the largest square of the city, and was laid out by Christian V in 1670 in connection with a major extension of the fortified city, and has an equestrian statue of him at its centre.

The initiative moved the centre of the city from the medieval area around Gammeltorv, at that time a muddy medieval marketplace, to a cobbled new square with a garden complex, inspired by the Royal city planning seen in Paris from the early 17th century. Let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable facts about it;

1.The King’s new square was decided upon in 1647

Kongens Nytorv, was decided upon in 1647 with the construction of the street Godtersgade in 1647.According to a masterplan from created by the fortification engineer Axel Urups, Kongens Nytorv was to be connected to the sea by a canal. 

Shortly after Christian V was crowned in 1670, he decided to level and cobble the square. This decision was taken mainly for military reasons, its strategic location with almost the same distance to all points along the ramparts of the city making it well suited as a central alarm square. At the same time, the square was to serve as a place royale with inspiration from France. 

2.There are several famous building facing the square 

Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square) and the Royal Danish Theatre Photo sourced Wikimedia

There are several famous building facing the square including; The Royal Danish Theater from 1874, the Charlottenborg Palace from 1671 (now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts), the Thott Palace from 1683 (now the French Embassy), the Hotel D’Angleterre and the Magasin du Nord department store.

Other building included the Gyldenløve Mansion, Holstein Mansion, The Juel Mansion, Carl Christian von Gram was also the owner of a town mansion of the square. Buildings facing the square were required to be in at least two stories and meet certain standards. 

3.It is currently used for various events

Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square) and the Royal Danish Theatre Photo sourced Wikimedia

It is currently used for various events including; 1.Outdoor exhibition space-The square is frequently used as an open-air exhibition venue, especially for photo exhibitions.2.Ice skating rink-In winter a 2,200 m2 (23,681 sq ft) circular ice skating rink is constructed around Krinsen. Skating is free of charge and ice skate rental is available.

3.High school graduation celebrations
As an old tradition, graduating high school students from the Copenhagen area, when they graduate in June, come to Kongens Nytorv in buses, trucks or horse wagons to dance and run around Krinsen, throwing their graduation caps into the air, celebrating their graduation.

4.The square features an equestrian statue

The square features an equestrian statue of Christian V was created by the French sculptor Abraham- Cesar Lamoureux. Dating from 1688, it is the oldest equestrian statue in Scandinavia. Originally made in gilded lead, it was recast in bronze 1939.

The statue is also the oldest sculpture of a royal in the whole of Scandinavia. The statue, showed the popular king Christian V, dressed in the garment that victorious generals wore for celebration in ancient Rome, riding a horse and was raised to celebrate the king who laid out the area. 

5.The square also has a garden complex known as Krinsen garden complex

Krinsen is an old form of the Danish word Krans, meaning circle or wreath. The Krinsen garden complex is an elliptical parterre surrounding the statue of Christian V. The tranquility of this stunning garden is a must visit to appreciate the nature amidst the beautiful architecture of the city.

This compact area boasts beautiful old castles, tranquil parks, and bustling squares where you can always find a bench to stretch out your legs whenever you need a break. These lovely gardens around the monument add to the square’s attraction.

6.There is an Old Kiosk on the square

Old Kiosk- on the square stands an old kiosk and telephone stand from 1913. It is built in Baroque Revival style with a copper-clad roof and hand-carved ornamentation. It also used to offer the first public telephonic connection in Copenhagen from where it was possible to call every day except Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.

It currently houses a small cafe with outdoor service and it is among the most visited place behind only the stature in the King’s New Square. The old Kiosk is among the oldest building in the area and has since been used for many events. 

7.The square is home to Thott Mansion which houses the French Embassy 

The Thott Mansion is a listed town mansion located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built for the naval officer Niels Juel in the 1680s but his Baroque mansion was later adapted to the Neoclassical style by the French architect Nicolas-Henri Jardin in 1763.

The building takes its current name after the Thott family who owned it from 1750 to 1930. It now houses the French embassy.It is among the most important buildings in the square and among the most guarded buildings on the square. 

8.The square is also home to Charlottenborg Palace the oldest building on the square

The square is also home to Charlottenborg Palace. Built 1672-1683, Charlottenborg Palace is the oldest building on the square. It is now home to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts as well as the exhibition space Kunsthal Charlottenborg.

Originally built as a residence for Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, it has served as the base of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts since its foundation in 1754. Today it also houses Kunsthal Charlottenborg, an institution for contemporary art, and Danmarks Kunstbibliotek, the Royal Art Library.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near it 

There are several hotels and restaurants near it including;Hotel d’Angleterre (0.12 mi) Hotel d’Angleterre, Hotel Sanders (0.08 mi), City Apartment in Kopenhagen mit 1 Schlafzimmern 2 Schlafplätzen (0.10 mi), The Socialist, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (0.11 mi) and The Huxley Copenhagen (0.18 mi). 

The restaurant include;Mad & Vin i Magasin which is 0.02 miles away, Brasserie du Nord (0.02 mi), Meyers Deli (0.02 mi) Coffee Industry (0.03 mi) Hallernes Smørrebrød which is 0.03 miles away. 

10.The Square is also home to the great Memorial Anchor 

The Square is also home to the great Memorial Anchor. The great Memorial Anchor (Mindeankeret) in front of Nyhavn is a monument commemorating the more than 1,700 Danish officers and sailors in service for the Navy – merchant fleet or Allied forces – who offered their life’s during the Second World War.

The Anchor was inaugurated in 1951 – and has a plague with a monogram of King Frederik VII on it.The Memorial Anchor is from 1872 – and was used on the Frigate Fyn (Funen) – which was docked at Holmen Naval Base during the Second World War.In the winter season the square is sometimes turned into an ice skating rink.