Niels Juel statue

The statue of Niels Juel, in Copenhagen

The statue of Niels Juel pays tribute to one of the greatest admirals of the history of Denmark, hero of the wars against Sweden. The Copenhagen audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this sailor of the seventeenth century, victor of the battle of the bay of Køge, the greatest Danish naval victory, represented in bronze leaning against a mortar, a few steps from the church where he rests.

History

In front of you stands a great statue representing Niels Juel, Danish admiral of the seventeenth century and one of the great figures of the history of the country. He took part and triumphed in the various conflicts that affected Denmark, notably the first war of the North, between 1658 and 1660, then the war of Scania, between 1675 and 1679. His outstanding military talent and his brilliant manoeuvres earned him many successes, allowing the Danes to assert themselves against the Swedes, with whom the country had long been at war. Throughout his career, he improved and enlarged the Danish fleet, that became one of the most important, and his exploits spread throughout Europe. That is why his statue stands here, only a few metres from the church where he was buried, just before the bridge. Designed by the sculptor Theobald Stein, this bronze statue was inaugurated in 1881 in tribute to the great admiral and to his victory at the battle of the bay of Køge, considered the greatest of Danish naval history. It represents him leaning against a mortar cannon, his arm raised.

What to see

Here you admire the bronze statue of Niels Juel, great Danish admiral of the seventeenth century, victor over the Swedes at the battle of the bay of Køge, the greatest naval victory of the country; inaugurated in 1881, it represents him leaning against a mortar, a few steps from the church where he rests. The statue of Niels Juel honours a maritime hero of Denmark. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The statue of Niels Juel stands on the Holmens Kanal, in the centre of Copenhagen, near the church of Holmen, reachable on foot. It is a monument in free access in the public space, that you discover during a walk along the canal.

Who was Niels Juel, whose statue is in Copenhagen?

He was one of the greatest Danish admirals of the seventeenth century, hero of the wars against Sweden, including the first war of the North and the war of Scania; he enlarged the Danish fleet and won the battle of the bay of Køge, considered the greatest naval victory of Denmark, celebrated by this bronze statue inaugurated in 1881.

Where is the statue of Niels Juel in Copenhagen?

On the Holmens Kanal, in the centre of Copenhagen, near the church of Holmen, in Denmark.