On my busy trip to Copenhagen last week, I managed to grab a quick break one lunchtime. Very conveniently, I was in the part of town that houses a tower that I wanted to visit. Good old Easyjet had identified it in their in-flight magazine, and it was something I hadn’t seen on previous visits.
The Rundetaarn (round tower) is a 17th century structure that is home to the oldest functioning observatory in Europe, and around the rooftop observatory is an outdoor viewing platform with views across the city.
To get to the top of this 36 metre building, you need to walk about a quarter of a kilometre up a paved spiral pathway. The ramp is 268,5 metres long at the outer wall and only 85,5 meters long close to the centre of the building. Apparently King Christian IV fancied being able to ascend in his horse and carriage! It is a reasonably undemanding walk but access to the very top involves a few steps.
A view from part way up the ramp
The position of the core of the tower is actually Denmark’s geographical zero point. In the late 1760s it was used as the starting point for measuring and producing the first accurate map of Denmark. As you get towards the top of the ramp there is an open doorway into the hollow core of the building and you can peer down 25 metres to the bottom. There is a glass floor in the centre and I have learned since my visit that it is at least 50 mm thick and can carry up to 900 kg per square meter. If I had known that, maybe I’d have been brave enough to stand on it!
Trinitatis Kirke
From the platform at the top there are great views of the old town and beyond. Sadly, it was a dull snowy day when I was there so the view was somewhat hazy. The tower is actually part of a building complex containing a church (Trinitatis Kirke) and a library to supplement the astronomy, all of which were facilities for the university.
To help you identify the many sights, there are helpful signs around the balcony. Despite the damp weather I wandered around a few times to enjoy the view.
Nicolay to left, Christiansborg back right
Vor Frue Kirke
Rosenborg Castle Gardens
When you come off the viewing platform, there’s a comfy seat and a window with a great view of the church roof and spire. This is marked up as Kysseboenken which I haven’t been able to translate, but I assumed it meant something like “Kissing Place”
As you wander back to the bottom, look out for the original privy (not to use!) and pop into what used to be the University Library to check out the current exhibitions.
Linked to Monday Walk
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 26 January 2016
Travel with Intent 
Interesting….. and amazing shots
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Your first and last shots are amazing. Love the floor!
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Don’t you love climbing towers and seeing a city from a different perspective. I wish you had been able to get a photo of the interior of the loo! (Never satisfied.)
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Oh, I can’t have you feeling dissatisfied! I have added the missing photo ☺
On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 7:50 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Definitely, beautiful images and read…
Bravissima
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Thank you kindly!
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I loved climbing to the top of this tower, about 15 years ago. Do they still have the annual bike race to the top?
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Yes, unibikes!
On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 2:57 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Interesting how many of those ‘important’ people in the past liked to ride their horses to the top of a building!
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Ha! I think I might take it up myself!
On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 12:55 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Your travelogue beats the travel guides any day!
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That’s a very kind comment. Thank you very much!
On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 11:14 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I have seen that tower and heard the story of the walk to the top. Great you made the walk, now I am able to see what I have missed.
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It was fun having a walk rather than trudging up narrow stairs
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What an interesting place, and the views look amazing. I don’t like standing on glass floors either, so you are not alone!
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A shame though as I would have liked to share a photo with you all!
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Wonderful! Thank you, Debs 🙂 I think this featured on the Travel Man mini series last week. Copenhagen is one of those places I’ve wanted to see since I even knew travel existed. I get that ‘wonderful, wonderful, Copenhagen’ song in my head every time I think about it 🙂
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Cheap flights and reasonable priced accommodation, and very walkable. So happy singing as you arrange your trip there 🙂
I didn’t see that – must try to watch it!
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What an exciting place to visit and I think you got several excellent photos of the veiw dispite the weather conditions.
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Many thanks Lena
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