Copenhagen City Hall.

© LIVINUS/Getty Images/iStock

Rådhus

Copenhagen


Completed in 1905, Copenhagen's national Romantic-style city hall is the work of architect Martin Nyrop. Inside is the curious Jens Olsen's World Clock, designed by astro mechanic Jens Olsen (1872–1945) and built at a cost of one million kroner. It displays not only local time, but also solar time, sidereal time, sunrises and sunsets, firmament and celestial-pole migration, planet revolutions, the Gregorian calendar and even changing holidays! You can also climb the 105m city hall tower for a commanding view.

Rådhus' architecture is influenced by both medieval Danish and northern Italian architecture, the latter most notable in the central, fountain-graced courtyard. Adorning the facade above the main entrance is a golden statue of Bishop Absalon, who founded the city in 1167. English-language guided tours of the building (50kr) are available at 1pm on weekdays and at 10am on Saturday.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Copenhagen attractions

1. Rådhus Tower

0.01 MILES

You can climb the 105m city hall tower for a commanding view of Tivoli Gardens and the city centre.

2. Jens Olsen's World Clock

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The most famous resident at Copenhagen's Rådhus (City Hall) is the curious Jens Olsen's World Clock, designed by astromechanic Jens Olsen (1872–1945) and…

3. Rådhuspladsen

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The square outside Copenhagen's Rådhus (City Hall) unites the busy thoroughfare of Vestrobrogade and the bustling Strøget pedestrian street. While the…

4. Rådhus Courtyard

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Influenced by the architecture of northern Italy, City Hall's courtyard features a central fountain.

5. Tivoli Gardens

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Dating from 1843, tasteful Tivoli wins fans with its dreamy whirl of amusement rides, twinkling pavilions, carnival games and open-air stage shows…

6. Domhuset

0.17 MILES

Built in 1815, Copenhagen’s neoclassical courthouse was designed by CF Hansen, also responsible for Vor Frue Kirke. It's linked by its own ‘bridge of…

7. Caritas Well

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Named for the Goddess of Charity, this lovely fountain was built in 1608 by King Christian IV, when Gammeltorv was the city's main square, and is the…

8. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

0.22 MILES

Fin de siècle architecture meets with an eclectic mix of art at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. The collection is divided into two parts: Northern Europe's…