Axelborg

Türck, Sven (1897-1954) fotograf
Source: Det Kongelige Biblioteks billedsamling1

Axelborg is a notable building in the Axeltorv square in downtown Copenhagen. This is the first structure that stands out for the tourists when they leave the Central Railway station and is counted among the oldest office buildings in Copenhagen.

Facts

Built: 1918-1921

Address: Axeltorv 1

Background

Axelborg in 1925 with the old tram lines.
Adolf Feller (1879-1931) postkartensamlung.
Source: ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv 

The building was designed by the architects Arthur Wittmaack and Vilhelm Hvalsøe. The Den Danske Andelsbank and the Arbejdernes Andels-Boligforening ordered the construction of the building, and as both had an agricultural background, the building is considered to be the centre of agriculture in Denmark. At the time of construction, the Axelborg was considered to be among the largest buildings in Copenhagen, second only to the Christiansborg Palace. It was used between 1928 and 1943 by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and today, it houses the Danish Agricultural Council.    

History

The Axelborg Room located at the center of the structure used to house the bank’s main offices. At the time, a paternoster lift was constructed which can still be experienced and gives a rare glimpse into what everyday life might have been like in the past. After the Den Danske Andelsbank went bankrupt in 1925, the Arbejdernes Andels-Boligforening followed suit by running into problems and had to vacate Axelborg. The building then housed a group of agricultural companies and the farmers became the official occupants. Their hold over the place did not last long and like their former occupants, the farmers were replaced by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation in 1928. Later on, in 2000, Bojesen occupied three floors of the old building, including the Axelborg room and former bank vaults.

Other interesting facts

With a stunning and intricate interior design and its remarkable acoustics due to the high ceiling and wood-covered walls, the main hall is usually employed for meetings and conferences. One of the standout structures is the tower that provides an extraordinary view from inside the hall (see the last picture).  

Interior today.
Source: http://www.aaretskage.dk

The amazing tower, from the main hall.
Source: http://www.trekearth.com

Copenhagen Zoo Tower

The Tower of the Copenhagen Zoo (or Zootårnet in Danish) is a notable wooden tower situated in the Municipality of Frederiksberg, Greater Copenhagen Area. It is a highlight in Copenhagen as it firmly stands out from its surroundings.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonassmith/13639684284/

Facts:

• Height: 43,5 m
• Built: 1904-1905
• Address: Roskildevej 32 (situated within the limits of the Zoo)
• Telephone (Zoo): +45 72 200 200
• Website: uk.zoo.dk
• Entrance fee (Zoo): DKK 160 (Adults), DKK 95 (Children 3-11)

Height

From the top of the tower in clear weather it is possible to see all the way to the Øresund Bridge. This is because the nearly 50 meters tall Tower is standing on the top of the Frederiksberg Hill, just next to the Frederiksberg Palace, and all in all it is 70 meters over the level of the neighbouring Frederiksberg Park. 

Architecture

The architect of the constructions was the Danish Theodor Adreas Hirth, who built the tower entirely out of wood. The shape of it resembles the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Marble Church

The Marble Church (Marmorkirken or Frederiks Kirke) is easy to be spotted because of its outstanding green copper dome. It lies near the Amalienborg castle, which is the official residence of the Danish queen and her family. Nowadays the church is serving as a popular wedding site and touristic attraction, and belongs to the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The original plan of the church.
Source: http://marmorkirken.dk/index.php?page=galleri

Facts

• Built: 1754-1894
• Height: 46 meters
• Address: Frederiksgade 4
• Telephone: +45 3315 0144
• Website: www.marmorkirken.dk
• Entrance fee: DKK 35 (Adults), DKK 20 (Students and youth under 18)

Marble?

Most of the church is constructed of Norwegian marble, however, the upper parts are built from different materials (For example Danish faxe marble). This is because the original plan turned out to be too expensive to carry out, hence they had to cut the amount of costly Norwegian marble.

Architecture

According to the original plans the Marble church was erected to honour the anniversary of the Danish royal family's (the Oldenburg dynasty) 300 years reign. Initially Nicolai Eigtved made the plans (see on the upper picture) in 1740 in rococo style. Nine years after King Frederik himself laid the foundation stone. When Eigtved died in 1754 the plans for the church were modified by Nicolas Henri Jardin, a French architect. The constructions was stopped because of budgetary reasons, and only finished in 1894.

The completed church.
Source: http://marmorkirken.dk/index.php?page=galleri

One of  the largest...

The dome has a majestic 46 metres high. There are 12 pillars that carry the dome.  The diameter of  the dome is 31 metres, which makes this dome one of the largest domes in Europe, and the larges church in Denmark.

Interesting

The construction was stopped for years because of lack of funding. Finally, it was a rich financier C.F. Tietgen (founder of the Tuborg brewery)  who donated money to complete the construction. 

Video

The Round Tower

Source: www.rundetaarn.dk

The Round Tower (Rundetårn), the centre of Denmark

If you’re planning a visit to Copenhagen, be sure to include the Round Tower on your itinerary. In fact, put it on the top of your list! This structure is something you can’t miss, and here is why.

Round Tower Tourism

On your trip to Denmark, be visit the Round Tower. The view from the top of the tower will give you a good idea of the streets below, so you can get an overview of the entire city. The tower has been drawing tourists for centuries. In 1716, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia traveled hundreds of miles on horseback to visit the observatory.

History of the Tower

Like many buildings in Copenhagen, the round tower is quite antiquated. It was built between 1637 and 1642 by Denmark’s King Christian IV. The building was originally a church, observatory, and library. Copenhagen was once well known for its advancements in astronomy, and the tower was used as for observing the heavens. It was also used to measure air temperature and pressure, so one might say that it was the first weather station in Denmark! Today, scientists no longer use the observatory, although amateur still love to watch the stars there.

Architecture

The Round Tower was inspired by Tycho Brahe, one the fathers of astronomy. He envisioned the tower as a university observatory. Sadly, he died in 1601, 40 years before the tower was completed. The tower was designed by Hans van Steenwinckel, who strove to create something both beautiful and functional. His idea was to streamline the tower by creating the complex in a focused and restrained style. The tower is not nearly as tall as today’s skyscrapers, but it was massive for its time, standing at 24,8 meters. It is built in a cylindrical fashion, with a spiraling walkway around the tower’s empty core. Outside, the tower contains red and yellow bricks that were imported from the Netherlands.

The Core of the Tower

In the center of the tower is the famous core. This empty space is important both geographically and economically. Many tourists come to the tower to stand on the sturdy glass floor, which is suspended 25 meters above the ground below. Visitors can stand on the glass and peer between their feet to see the center of the tower far below. When Denmark was triangulated in the 1760s, this core was used as point zero.

Now that you know the basic history of the tower, be sure to visit during your trip to Denmark and learn even more! There is so much fascinating history and information that centers on this structure. Don’t miss it!

If you decide to visit the Round Tower, here are some things you should know. The tower’s address is Købmagergade 52A. If you need help finding it, you can call +45 33 73 03 73. Their website is www.rundetaarn.dk/en/, and their email is post@rundetaarn.dk. The entrance fee to visit the tower is DKK 25 for adults and DKK 5 for children under 15.

Video

Article by Breana Johnson