Latin Quarter Walking Tour (Self Guided), Copenhagen

Situated next to the historic main building of the University of Copenhagen, Church of Our Lady is among the prominent religious landmarks in the city. While less dramatic than the typical Cathedral, its marble stations of the cross far better depict the suffering of Jesus than most and the large organ is an impressive sight. Outside, it looks a little like the Pantheon in Rome, with statues of David and Moses on either side of the doors.

Constructed in 1829, the present church was rebuilt in the then-modern neo-classical style following a British bombardment during the Napoleonic wars. Measuring a hefty 33 meters in width and 83 meters in length, it can seat at least 1100 people if all galleries are left open. There are four church bells housed in the tower, one of which is the heaviest in Denmark at 4 tons.

The interior is decorated with the twelve apostles (one in front of each of the piers of the central nave), the Risen Christ displaying the wounds in his body (in a niche above the altar) and the baptismal font in the form of an angel holding a large scallop shell, all in Italian carrara marble. All of these sculptures were completed in Rome by the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, whose bronze bust is on display in the aisles along with many portraits of bishops and deans.

Why You Should Visit:
This church is of very severe exterior appearance but upon stepping inside, you become engulfed with the beautiful lighting and outstanding decorations, statues, altar, columns, ceiling and arches.

Tip:
If possible, try to come during the jazz service on Sunday, as part of the yearly Copenhagen Jazz Festival – but come early. That's an event you will remember forever: informal and at the same time very inspiring.

The Latin Quarter is home to Copenhagen's University since the Middle Ages, when Latin used to be the primary language of education. Established in 1479 by a Papal bull, in close location to the Church of Our Lady, it had a predominantly theological focus up until the 18th century when, through various reforms, science and the humanities replaced theology as the main subjects studied and taught. Still, the first female student was enrolled here no sooner than 1877.

A number of prominent scientific theories and schools of thought are namesakes of the institution. The famous Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics was conceived at the Niels Bohr Institute, which is part of the university. Outside the main building, a busts honor Bohr himself, who won the the 1922 Physics Prize for his model of the structure of the atom and, some twenty years later, helped develop the atomic bomb.

If the doors are open, enter a colorful lobby, starring Athena and Apollo. The frescoes celebrate high thinking, with themes such as wisdom's triumph over barbarism. Notice how harmoniously the architecture, sculpture, and painting all combine.

Saint Peter's Church, located in the Latin Quarter of Copenhagen, serves as the parish church for the city's German-speaking community. With origins dating back to the 12th century, the church is first documented in 1304 and is considered the oldest building in central Copenhagen. It underwent significant reconstruction following a fire in 1380 and was one of four Catholic parish churches in the city during the Middle Ages.

Post-Reformation, the church was repurposed briefly as a canon and bell foundry before being presented to the German-speaking populace by Frederick II in 1585. Renowned architect Hans van Steenwinckel the Elder renovated the church, adding a gablet upper floor to the initially uncompleted tower. This was later replaced by a spire in the 17th century.

Throughout its history, Saint Peter's Church has been a focal point for Copenhagen's political, economic, cultural, and military elite. The congregation's growth necessitated multiple expansions, including the addition of northern and southern transepts by Christian IV in the 1630s and a further extension by Christian V in the 1690s.

The church features a distinctive complex of sepulchral chapels, started in 1643 and completed by Hans van Steenwinckel the Youngest in the late 17th century. These chapels house numerous tombs and epitaphs of notable German families in Denmark, with sarcophagi and coffins arranged in layers within underground crypts.

Severely damaged in the Copenhagen Fire of 1728, Saint Peter's Church was largely rebuilt by Johan Cornelius Krieger. The interior was redesigned, and a new copper-clad spire was added in 1756-57, which survived the British bombardment during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807. The church now sports a cruciform layout with significant portions dating back to the mid-15th century. Its main entrance, adorned with a Baroque portal crafted by Diderik Gercken in 1731, and a Rococo-style spire, reflects the architectural evolution and historical significance of this venerable institution.

Even though Studiestræde runs parallel to the busy shopping street Strøget, it's relaxed in a very pleasant way; a perfect place to relax with a drink at one of the many cafés after bargain-hunting at the equally numerous vintage shops located here. If Strøget is too mainstream for your taste, Studiestræde is where you might find whatever you are looking for.

It's also one of the streets of the Latin Quarter that still maintains the charm of Copenhagen's past. Have a look at the old buildings; they may not say much at ground level, but look up! Those colorful facades have not changed much, still keeping their uneven windows. They have been silent witnesses to student life for over two centuries!

The building at No. 6 was built as a professorial residence in 1795 and was home to the Technical College from 1829 until 1890. Its first director lived in the building from 1824 until his death. Most of the other buildings along the first section of the street (until Vester Voldgade) date from the years after the Copenhagen Fire of 1795 and many of them are listed.

Back on September 6th, 1819, a lanky 14-year-old named Hans Christian Andersen arrived in Copenhagen for the very first time. Dreams in tow and absolutely no idea where he’s going—his confidence was never in short supply. Andersen checked into the Gardergården inn at Vestergade 18, a humble little spot he stumbled upon by tailing some unsuspecting travelers through Vesterport. Bold move? Definitely. Budget-friendly? Temporarily. He bunked in a tiny room until his money ran out—which, let’s be honest, didn’t take long.

He didn’t know a soul in the city, but in true fairytale fashion, he believed—or knew, rather—that this bustling town would be the launchpad for his greatness. And it was.

Now, Vestergade, where Andersen first crash-landed, is no random stretch of road. Most of its buildings sprouted up after the big fire of 1795, but the street itself is a seasoned traveler—it dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, it was the western artery, connecting Old Square (once the most important city square) to the Western City Gate.

In the 1930s through the '50s, city planners tried their best to modernize it—widen it, straighten it, make it less quirky. But locals and preservationists weren't having any of it. Thanks to their efforts (and some healthy civic stubbornness), Vestergade still holds onto its old-school charm and medieval wiggle. It’s a crooked little time capsule—just the way Hans would have remembered it.

The Copenhagen University Library, located in Copenhagen, serves as the principal research library for the University of Copenhagen. Established in 1482, it holds the distinction of being the oldest library in Denmark. The library's origins are tied closely to the university itself, which was founded just three years earlier in 1479. Its foundation was marked by the donation of a book collection by the university's vice-rector, Peder Albertsen. The library's first designated building was the House of the Holy Ghost, and in 1553, a dedicated library structure was inaugurated at the current site of the university's main building. This building facilitated the library's functions for a century.

The historical main building, located in Fiolstræde, is a celebrated example of Neo-Gothic architecture, designed by Johan Daniel Herholdt and completed in 1861. Herholdt, influenced by his travels and observations—specifically the Crystal Palace in London and the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris—introduced a revolutionary structural system using cast iron to mitigate the risk of fire. His design also incorporated elements inspired by northern Italian cathedral architecture, notably the Church of San Fermo in Verona. Notable features include hive-like column terminations and a façade designed to complement the university's seven gabled fronts facing Frue Plads. The library's interiors were adorned by Georg Hilker, a prominent Danish decorative painter of that era.

Through its rich history and architectural significance, the Copenhagen University Library not only serves as a repository of knowledge but also as a landmark of Danish cultural and architectural heritage.

If you want a really filling breakfast/brunch without breaking the bank, stop by this restful place. Located in the Latin Quarter just across from the University Library, Paludan is Denmark's oldest book café. As per their website, "The café’s clear objective is to combine the traditional bookstore with a functioning eatery, where service is top notch in both places."

Paludan's sells both used and new books and has a wide selection of fiction/non-fiction books in English, Danish and other languages. Food-wise, there are options for everybody: meat-based or vegetarian, seafood, Asian, very simple dishes, non-dairy, gluten-free, low calories, etc. For those first timers, go to the left as you walk in and order at the counter. There are menus in English as well, making it easy to pick whatever it is you want. After placing the order, find a place to sit and they will bring the food out to you. Either eat inside and be surrounded by bookshelves or sit outside and enjoy the street views. Service is quick, and you get very good value for the price. Can't ask for much more!

Arnold Busck, a renowned name in the Danish book retail industry, was founded in 1896 in Copenhagen by Arnold Busck and J.L. Wisbech, originally under the name Busck & Wisbech. The bookstore moved to Gothersgade in 1901 and became solely known as Arnold Busck after Wisbech departed in 1902. Over the years, it expanded by acquiring Nyt Nordisk Forlag in 1922 and Det Schønbergske Forlag in 1965. The leadership of the company passed through generations of the Busck family, with Helge Arnold Busck taking over in 1941, followed by his son Ole Arnold Busck in 1969.

Located on Købmagergade, near the bustling Strøget—one of Copenhagen’s busiest shopping areas—and close to the University of Copenhagen, Arnold Busck became a cultural staple in the city. Initially catering to collegiate literature students, the store later broadened its audience to the general public, emphasizing a rich selection of art and architecture books, as well as a substantial collection of fiction.

The store remains a beloved fixture in Copenhagen, housed in a three-story building that has been part of the city's fabric since the early 1900s. It offers a vast array of books on various subjects including arts, architecture, photography, food, and wine, alongside children’s books, audiobooks, tourist guides, and maps. The store is also known for its extensive collection of books in both Danish and English. Adding to its charm is the famous Baresso coffee bar on the second floor, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The yearly sale event at Arnold Busck is especially popular, drawing crowds eager for book bargains in a vibrant city atmosphere.

The Round Tower – Copenhagen’s answer to the question: “What if we made a giant architectural cinnamon roll… but for science?” This 17th-century spiral of brick in the heart of the Danish capital was “cooked up” by King Christian IV as part of his grand architectural project, originally intended as an observatory for the astronomer genius Tycho Brahe.

Back in the 1600s, Europe was getting really into astronomy. The Round Tower came with its own academic library, the Trinitatis Church, and a university chapel. The spiral ramp was so strong and wide that one could easily ride a horse or even drive a carriage up and down it. Apparently, some kings did actually, including Russian Tsar Peter the Great. Because stairs are for the common folk...

Now, if you're a fan of Hans Christian Andersen, you're gonna love this. The Round Tower pops up in “The Tinderbox.” That’s the one where a soldier meets a witch, climbs into a hollow tree, and finds three coin-filled vaults guarded by increasingly horrifying dogs. The biggest of which has eyes “the size of the Round Tower.” Subtle product placement, Hans...

Today, tourists from all corners of the Earth climb its 7.5-turn helical corridor just to snap that perfect panoramic selfie of the city. Because it’s not just a tower but a slow-motion ascent into Danish history, science, and surprisingly chic art installations.

As you wind your way up, your first pitstop is a gallery space featuring contemporary art that occasionally makes you question your understanding of gravity. Then it’s on to the bell loft – because what's a tower without a good ol’ bell room? And finally, the key attraction: the observatory itself, complete with a 360-degree view of Copenhagen. There’s even a thick glass platform near the top – for the brave souls who enjoy standing on transparent floors and peering into the abyss.

Tip:
There’s a cozy café nearby for a crowd-free coffee break, a blessedly clean toilet halfway up, and a souvenir shop with actual quality stuff – not your usual tourist tat. So take your time, bring your curiosity, and maybe leave the horse at home...

Kultorvet Square, nestled in the Old Town of Copenhagen, stands as a vibrant public space rich in history and culture. The name, which translates to "The Coal Market," evolved from its initial role as a hub for trading charcoal, firewood, and peat, strategically positioned near the Northern City Gate. This location was convenient for colliers, peat gatherers, and farmers from North Zealand.

Over the years, the square expanded from its original, smaller footprint through successive demolitions and new constructions. Its architecture reflects a timeline of rebuilding and stylistic changes, with surviving buildings like No. 14 on the corner with Sankt Gertruds Stræde marking its early post-fire reconstruction from the 1730s. Other notable structures include the 1810 buildings designed by Christian Frederik Hansen, and the Historicist Kultorvet Pharmacy built in 1895 by Valdemar Ingemann, noted for its dismantled spire.

Today, Kultorvet is a pedestrian-friendly zone that stretches from Nørreport station to Amagertorv along Strøget. It is a lively area lined with cafés and shops, renowned for hosting outdoor concerts during the summer. A standout feature is the 2013 renovation that introduced a circular water feature, serving both as a decorative element and a functional bandstand for events. Another point of interest is one of Copenhagen’s old telephone kiosks, adding a touch of historical quaintness to the area.

Art also plays a role in defining the square's character, exemplified by Hanne Varming's bronze statue "The Elder Mother" (Hyldemor), inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale and Varming's great grandparents. This statue depicts an elderly couple in contemplation, enriching the square with a sense of history and personal memory.