The Latin Quarter is home to Copenhagen’s university, where Latin used to be the spoken language. One of the oldest areas in the city, it is full of 17th-century buildings that were built by the architect king, Christian IV. Although there have been dwellings here since medieval times, most of them were destroyed in the disastrous fire that spread across Copenhagen in 1728. Today, the Latin Quarter is a lively and bustling student area brimming with shops and cafés.
Synagogen: Krystalgade 12; 33 12 88 68
Rundetårn: Købmagergade 52A; 33 73 03 73; open May–Sep: 10am–8pm daily, Oct–Apr: 10am–6pm Mon, Thu–Sun, 10am–9pm Tue–Wed; adm $4 (free with Copenhagen Card); www.rundetaarn.dk
Trinitatis Kirke: Købmagergade 52A; open 9:30am–4:30pm Mon–Sat; www.trinitatiskirke.dk
Universitetet: Nørregade 10; 35 32 26 26; open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri; www.ku.dk
Vor Frue Kirke: Nørregade 8; open 8am–5pm Mon–Sat
Sankt Petri Kirke: Skt Peders St 2; 33 13 38 33; open Apr–Sep: 11am–3pm Wed–Sat; adm to the sepulchral chapel
Hellingåndskirken: Niels Hemmingsens Gade 5; 33 15 41 44; open noon–4pm Mon–Fri (11am–1pm Sat)
The 1902 bronze equestrian statue on this popular square depicts the 12th-century Bishop Absalon, founder of Copenhagen, facing the site of his original castle on Slotsholmen.
Older than Vor Frue Kirke, Copenhagen’s German church also suffered from city fires and the British bombardment of 1807 (Larslejsstræde 11). Its sepulchral chapel has monuments and tombs dating back to 1681.
This 17th-century student residence lies opposite the Rundetårn. A part of it burned down in the great fire of 1728, but was soon rebuilt. Its students retain the old tradition of “storming” Rundetårn every May.
Named after the Grey Brothers who built Copenhagen’s first monastery here, this lovely 13th-century square is now a popular place for locals and visitors to enjoy alfresco meals or drinks.
The Round Tower (Købmagergade 52A) was built in 1642 by Christian IV as an observatory, its official role until 1861. It is 114 ft (34.8 m) high, with an internal ramp that spirals almost to the top. It holds art exhibitions and concerts in the library.
Built from 1830–33, Copenhagen’s oldest synagogue survived Nazi occupation. The synagogue is for the city’s Jewish community, it is not open to visitors except with prior booking.
This magnificent church was built in 1637–56 for the staff and students of the university (Pilestræde 67). If it happens to be closed when you visit, you can enter Rundetårn and get a view of the church nave through the glass panel at the start of the ramp.
Founded in 1479 by Christian I, the University of Copenhagen was the country’s first university. The Neo-Classical building that can be seen here today dates to the 19th century. In the courtyard, there are the remains of an old Bishop’s Palace (1420). Most of the university is now on the island of Amager.
In the 12th century, Bishop Absalon founded a Gothic church (Nørregade 8). After burning down twice, the present Neo-Classical cathedral was completed in 1829, but the tower is from medieval times.
The Church of the Holy Ghost (Niels Hemmingsens Gade 5) was built in 1295 as a hospital, and was expanded to include a monastery in 1474.
In 1647, 50 years after the clock tower was built, King Christian IV gifted the church a set of bells and a carillon. The carillon consisted of 19 bells. It was also used at funerals; the importance of the deceased decided for how long the bells would chime—sometimes hours.
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