The Round Tower

The Round Tower, in Copenhagen

The Round Tower, or Rundetårn, shelters the oldest astronomical observatory of Europe still in activity. The Copenhagen audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this tower of nearly thirty-five metres, willed by Christian IV in 1637, attached to the Trinity Complex, whose famous spiral ramp, once climbed on horseback, leads to a panorama of the roofs of the capital.

History

Nicknamed the Round Tower, this tower makes the particularity of the neighbouring building to which it is attached, the Trinity Complex, built to shelter a church, a university library and an astronomical observatory, which is still at the summit. It is King Christian IV who ordered its construction in 1637, and five years later, the tower was erected. Nearly thirty-five metres high, it shelters a planetarium but above all the oldest observatory of Europe still in activity. It testifies to the great renown of Denmark in matters of astronomy at that time, due notably to the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who forged the reputation of the country in this domain. At the summit, a fine panorama reveals the roofs of the capital. And here, no stairs, but a ramp that climbs in a spiral to the summit, allowing access on horseback in former times. This particularity, unique in Europe, makes all the charm of the Round Tower, that mingles science, history and architecture in a single emblematic monument of Copenhagen.

What to see

Here you climb a tower of nearly thirty-five metres willed by Christian IV in 1637, attached to the Trinity Complex and sheltering the oldest observatory of Europe still in activity; its spiral ramp, once climbed on horseback, leads to a panorama of the roofs of the city, heritage of the great Danish astronomical tradition. The Round Tower is a unique monument of Copenhagen. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Round Tower stands in the heart of the historic centre of Copenhagen, near the Købmagergade, reachable on foot. The access is made by a spiral ramp; the entry is paying and the hours vary according to the season. It is best to enquire before coming.

What is particular about the Round Tower of Copenhagen?

It shelters the oldest astronomical observatory of Europe still in activity and is climbed by a spiral ramp, once practicable on horseback, rather than by stairs; willed by Christian IV in 1637 and nearly thirty-five metres high, it also shelters a planetarium and offers, at its summit, a panorama of the roofs of the capital.

Where is the Round Tower in Copenhagen?

In the heart of the historic centre of Copenhagen, near the Købmagergade, in Denmark.