Explore Copenhagen: Self-Guided Audio Tour

City Hall Square is Copenhagen's largest square. The City Hall building is recognizable by its ornate brick front,

clock tower, and the gilded statue of the city’s founder, Bishop

Absalon, over the front balcony.

The

hall was built in the National Romantic style, which was popularized by the architect Martin Nyrop.

His design is inspired by the City Hall in Siena, Italy.

The round tower is

a 17th century astronomical observatory that is part of the Trinitatis Complex,

which includes the

Trinitatis Church and an academic library for the neighbouring Copenhagen

University. The library was opened in 1657 and once housed the university’s entire collection

—

around 10,000

books.

Instead of stairs, the tower features a ramp that spirals to the top of the

structure.

Rosenborg Castle was one of the many architectural projects commissioned by King Christian IV.

The

architecture of the castle is in the Dutch Renaissance style of the seventeenth century, which is

characterized by high gables and spires. After its completion, the castle continued to be expanded,

not reaching its current state until 1624

Marble Church has the largest church dome in Scandinavia.

The official name of this majestic structure

is

Frederiks Kirke

, or “Frederik’s Church,”

after King Frederik V.

In 1748, King Frederik began planning

the

construction of a grand city district called

Frederiksstaden.

The

Amalienborg Palace is the current residence of the

Danish

royal family. The first palace was built

between 1669 and 1673 by Queen

Sophie Amalie, the wife of King Frederik III.

The current

Amalienborg Palace was designed to

be the crowning jewel of the district of

Frederiksstaden

.

Frederik V dismantled the existing palace and in its place constructed the octagonal complex you see

today.

The first theatre built in this location was

built in 1748. It seated 800 audience members and

employed eight actors and four

actresses. Performances c

onsisted mainly of French comedies. This

original

theatre proved too small for the city of Copenhagen, and in 1774 it was rebuilt

for a larger

audience. The Royal Danish Theatre became the home for all the

performing arts, including ballet,

opera, and the

royal orchestra.

Christiansborg Palace has been built over the

remnants

of four previous castles. In 1167,

Absalon

constructed the first castle on

the island, which stood for over 200 years. After the

destruction of

Absalon’s

castle by the Hanseatic League, Copenhagen Castle was built over the ruins.

This castle stood for several hundred years and is best known for its Blue

Tower, which held Leonora

Christina, the daughter of Christian IV, captive for

almost 22 years.