Copenhagen City Hall: A historical landmark in Denmark built in 1905

Located in the heart of Denmark’s largest city, Copenhagen, is the Copenhagen City Hall. The City Hall serves as both an active city council hall and a tourist attraction due to its impressive appearance. In this article, I will introduce the charm of Copenhagen City Hall in detail.

Characteristics of Copenhagen City Hall

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a beautiful city known for its colorful streets. Blending perfectly with this scenery is the Copenhagen City Hall. Built in 1905, the City Hall is considered a relatively new building in Denmark, where many historical buildings date back centuries. However, it has undergone several expansions and renovations, making it the sixth iteration of the building. 

The City Hall is characterized by its heavy red brick exterior and a unique architectural style that combines medieval Danish and Northern Italian Renaissance elements. The harmony of these two architectural styles is a major attraction of the City Hall.

The second tallest building in Copenhagen

Upon seeing the Copenhagen City Hall, one will immediately notice the tall tower at the top of the building. The tower stands at 105.6 meters, making it the second tallest tower in the city. The tallest building in Copenhagen is Christiansborg Palace, which houses the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister’s Office. However, Christiansborg Palace is only 160 meters tall, a mere 40 cm taller than the City Hall tower. In 

Copenhagen, there is an ordinance stating that no building taller than the City Hall tower can be constructed. This is why there are few skyscrapers in the city. When looking at pictures of Copenhagen, you will notice the absence of high-rise buildings.

As you can see, the City Hall tower stands tall with a clear view of the surrounding city. Thanks to this ordinance, Copenhagen has maintained its beautiful, fairytale-like cityscape without an excess of concrete buildings. While this may seem like an unusual regulation from a Japanese perspective, it was enacted to protect the colorful historical streets that are the charm of Copenhagen. 

For more information on Christiansborg Palace, the tallest building in Denmark, check out the recommended article below.

A wealth of attractions inside the City Hall

Built in 1905, Copenhagen City Hall is a historical building, yet its interior is as grand as a palace without feeling outdated. The City Hall is open to the public and admission is free. 

With some exceptions, visitors can enter the building and admire the elegant interiors at any time. Inside the City Hall, there is a large hall adorned with Danish flags on the walls, and sunlight pours in through the skylights, creating a spacious atmosphere. This hall is sometimes used for events and exhibitions. 

As the name suggests, the City Hall also houses the city council chamber, where Copenhagen’s city council members gather to discuss various issues. Surrounded by antique decorations, it seems the debates would be even more heated in such a palace-like environment. 

Inside the City Hall, there is a clock known as “Jens Olsen’s World Clock”. This clock is displayed in a secure glass case and is famous for its extreme accuracy, designed by clockmaker Jens Olsen. It is said to have an error of only one-thousandth of a second every 100 years and is considered one of the most accurate clocks in the world, having taken over 50 years to design.

Famous spots around Copenhagen City Hall

Copenhagen City Hall is located in the heart of the city, and the area around the building is filled with famous Danish attractions. 

For example, near the City Hall, there is a bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s representative writer. Andersen is the author of famous works such as “The Little Match Girl” and “The Ugly Duckling.” In the line of sight of the statue, there is the historic Tivoli Gardens amusement park, founded in 1843 in Copenhagen.

It is said that Andersen would visit Tivoli Gardens for a change of pace and to gain inspiration for new works. 

In addition, there is a public space called “City Hall Square” in front of Copenhagen City Hall, which serves as a relaxing spot for Copenhagen residents to spend their days off. While it is usually a place for people to unwind, it also serves as a countdown spot for the New Year’s Eve celebration. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, celebratory fireworks are launched, turning the city of Copenhagen into a festive atmosphere.

Conclusion

I have introduced the features and history of Copenhagen City Hall. What did you think? Copenhagen City Hall is within walking distance from Copenhagen Central Station, making it an easy destination for sightseeing. The City Hall, harmonizing with the fairytale-like streets of Copenhagen, is a must-visit location.