King's New Square (Kongens Nytorv), Copenhagen
King's New Square is a central hub in Copenhagen, noted for its significant size and historical prominence. Established in 1670 by King Christian V, the square was part of an extensive urban development aimed at expanding and fortifying the city.
Originally a chaotic site with muddy terrain outside the city's fortifications, the area was transformed into a planned, cobblestoned space inspired by royal squares in Paris. It served both military and social functions – first, as a military alarm square and then as a venue for royal ceremonies and public gatherings.
Dominating the square, at its center, is the equestrian statue of King Christian V. The oldest of its kind in Scandinavia, first crafted in 1688 and recast in bronze in 1939, it exudes a historical aura.
Surrounding the square are prominent buildings such as the Royal Danish Theater, Charlottenborg Palace (now housing the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts), the Thott Palace (currently the French Embassy), and notable commercial establishments like the Hotel D'Angleterre and the Magasin du Nord department store.
Also, check out an old kiosk and telephone stand from 1913. Built in Baroque Revival style and featuring a copper-clad roof and hand-carved ornamentation, it once hosted Copenhagen's first public telephone service and now serves as a café with outdoor seating.
Today, the square is not only a historical site but also a vibrant public space that hosts outdoor exhibitions and ice skating in winter and is a traditional spot for high school graduation celebrations.
Originally a chaotic site with muddy terrain outside the city's fortifications, the area was transformed into a planned, cobblestoned space inspired by royal squares in Paris. It served both military and social functions – first, as a military alarm square and then as a venue for royal ceremonies and public gatherings.
Dominating the square, at its center, is the equestrian statue of King Christian V. The oldest of its kind in Scandinavia, first crafted in 1688 and recast in bronze in 1939, it exudes a historical aura.
Surrounding the square are prominent buildings such as the Royal Danish Theater, Charlottenborg Palace (now housing the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts), the Thott Palace (currently the French Embassy), and notable commercial establishments like the Hotel D'Angleterre and the Magasin du Nord department store.
Also, check out an old kiosk and telephone stand from 1913. Built in Baroque Revival style and featuring a copper-clad roof and hand-carved ornamentation, it once hosted Copenhagen's first public telephone service and now serves as a café with outdoor seating.
Today, the square is not only a historical site but also a vibrant public space that hosts outdoor exhibitions and ice skating in winter and is a traditional spot for high school graduation celebrations.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Copenhagen. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
King's New Square (Kongens Nytorv) on Map
Sight Name: King's New Square (Kongens Nytorv)
Sight Location: Copenhagen, Denmark (See walking tours in Copenhagen)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Copenhagen, Denmark (See walking tours in Copenhagen)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark
Create Your Own Walk in Copenhagen
Creating your own self-guided walk in Copenhagen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Copenhagen Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Back in the Middle Ages, the area surrounding Our Lady's Square (“Frue Plads” in Danish), right in the heart of it, was considered a “ray of light” in the overall darkness of those times. A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Hans Christian Andersen's Copenhagen
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Born in Odense (central Denmark) a poor shoemaker's son, Andersen spent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Born in Odense (central Denmark) a poor shoemaker's son, Andersen spent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Little Mermaid Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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