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Copenhagen · Mysteries & legends

Traitors, dragons and spirals: hidden Copenhagen

Copenhagen looks like a city without shadows, but its squares keep stories of treachery, prisons and fire. This walk, designed for the late afternoon, runs from City Hall Square to Christianshavn and always separates what is documented from what tradition tells. Some legends lie beyond the route: Holger Danske, the hero who according to tradition sleeps beneath Kronborg Castle, is about 45 kilometres away, in Helsingør.

  • 6 stops
  • 2.7 km
  • 2 h
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Black smoke over Børsen during the fire of 16 April 2024

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 The Lur Blowers (Lurblæserne)Two Bronze Age musicians atop a column, and a cheeky legend every Copenhagener knows.
  2. 2 Gråbrødretorv and the Pillar of ShameA charming square where a traitor’s mansion once stood, torn down so that no one would forget his name.
  3. 3 Christiansborg and the Blue TowerBeneath the palace of the three powers lie the foundations of the tower where a princess spent almost 22 years as a prisoner.
  4. 4 Børsen, the Dragon Stock ExchangeFour entwined dragons guarded the old Stock Exchange from fire for almost four centuries, until one April morning in 2024.
  5. 5 Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)A golden staircase coiling around the outside of the spire, and an architect who, legend says, leapt to his death.
  6. 6 Christiania, the FreetownA former barracks occupied in 1971 that became Scandinavia’s most famous social experiment.

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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

Traitors, dragons and spirals: hidden Copenhagen

Legends with an address

Every story is tied to a pillar, a square or a spire you can see with your own eyes.

Record and tradition

We separate what is proven from what is told, so you can enjoy the mystery without mistaking it for history.

Ending in Christianshavn

The walk finishes by the canals of Christianshavn, perfect for dinner as evening falls.

Keep exploring

More routes in Copenhagen

Back to Copenhagen
HistoryFrom Absalon to Christian IV: the city that rose from its ashes 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