Gammeltorv Square

The Gammeltorv square, in Copenhagen

Gammeltorv, the "Old Square", is the oldest square of Copenhagen, adorned with a fine Renaissance fountain. The Copenhagen audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this place born with the city in the twelfth century, long a social, juridical and political centre, once a market square, surrounded by neoclassical buildings and neighbour of the New Square and its former town hall.

History

Here, on the left, is the oldest square of the city. It is here that a market was once held where pork, poultry and eggs were sold. It exists since the foundation of Copenhagen in the twelfth century and was, throughout its history, the social, juridical and political centre of the city. It took the name of Gammeltorv, "Old Square", from the fifteenth century, in opposition to a neighbouring newly built square. Remarkable, it is surrounded by magnificent buildings, mostly of neoclassical style, and possesses in its centre a fine Renaissance fountain built in 1610. On the right extends the New Square, Nytorv, laid out later, at the beginning of the 1600s; you find there the former town hall, this great stone building adorned with columns and of majestic neoclassical style. If these two neighbouring squares have lost their notoriety in favour of the more recent squares, they remain much frequented by the inhabitants as by the visitors, and preserve a great historic and architectural interest.

What to see

Here you discover the oldest square of Copenhagen, born with the city in the twelfth century and long a social and political heart, once a market square; surrounded by fine neoclassical buildings, it is adorned with a Renaissance fountain of 1610, and adjoins the New Square and its former town hall. Gammeltorv keeps a great historic interest in Copenhagen. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Gammeltorv square lies on the Strøget street, in the heart of the historic centre of Copenhagen, reachable on foot; the New Square, Nytorv, adjoins it. It is a square in free access, that you discover during a walk in the centre.

What is the oldest square of Copenhagen?

It is Gammeltorv, the "Old Square", that exists since the foundation of the city in the twelfth century; once a market square and long the social, juridical and political centre of Copenhagen, it took its name in the fifteenth century, is surrounded by neoclassical buildings and is adorned with a Renaissance fountain of 1610.

Where is the Gammeltorv square in Copenhagen?

On the Strøget street, in the heart of the historic centre of Copenhagen, in Denmark.