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Copenhagen · History

From Absalon to Christian IV: the city that rose from its ashes

Copenhagen has burned, been bombarded and rebuilt itself again and again. This walk follows that thread from City Hall Square to Slotsholmen, the islet where Bishop Absalon built his castle in 1167 and where the Parliament, the government and the Supreme Court meet today. Along the way: the medieval square, the cathedral and Christian IV’s most original tower.

  • 6 stops
  • 2 km
  • 1 h 55 min
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Façade of Christiansborg Palace and its tower, seen from the square

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 City Hall Square and City HallA square born where the ramparts fell, and a city hall that looks to Siena and shows off a golden founder.
  2. 2 Gammeltorv and NytorvCopenhagen’s oldest square, a fountain from Christian IV and a courthouse proclaiming that the land is built on law.
  3. 3 Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke)A cathedral lost twice over, reborn as a Greek temple filled with Thorvaldsen’s apostles.
  4. 4 Rundetårn, the Round TowerChristian IV’s observatory, with a spiral ramp instead of stairs and a royal rebus on its façade.
  5. 5 Højbro Plads and the statue of AbsalonThe warrior bishop who founded the city rides towards the castle he built in 1167.
  6. 6 Christiansborg PalaceThe only building in the world housing all three branches of government, raised on eight centuries of castles.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

From Absalon to Christian IV: the city that rose from its ashes

Eight centuries in two kilometres

From the castle of 1167 to the Constitution of 1849, on a short, flat walk through the historic centre.

Christian IV, the builder king

Fountains, towers and inscriptions from the monarch who transformed the city in the 17th century.

A city reborn

Fires in 1728 and 1795, the bombardment of 1807: you will learn to read the scars on the façades.

Keep exploring

More routes in Copenhagen

Back to Copenhagen
Mysteries & legendsTraitors, dragons and spirals: hidden Copenhagen MixedCopenhagen highlights: from Tivoli to the Little Mermaid

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Copenhagen?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Copenhagen in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Copenhagen in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Copenhagen in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary