06/08/2025
Kongens Nytorv was established in 1670 by King Christian V as part of a wider effort to modernise Copenhagen and assert royal authority through urban planning. The square was laid out on land where earlier ramparts and defensive structures had stood, marking a shift from the medieval city to a more ordered and monumental capital. Inspired by the royal plazas of Paris, the square was designed in the Baroque style and quickly became a focal point for ceremonial events and public life.
Surrounding the square, prominent buildings began to rise, including Charlottenborg Palace and the Thott Mansion. In the following centuries, these were joined by the Royal Danish Theatre, Hotel D’Angleterre and Magasin du Nord. The square has served many roles throughout its history, from a parade ground for troops to a tram hub in the early twentieth century. Despite these changes, it has remained one of the most recognisable and active public spaces in the city.
At its centre stands the equestrian statue of King Christian V, inaugurated in 1688. It was the first of its kind in Denmark and originally cast in gilded lead, later replaced with bronze due to damage. The statue is surrounded by allegorical figures representing royal virtues and has become an enduring symbol of the square. To this day, Kongens Nytorv remains a key meeting point in Copenhagen, where layers of history are visible in both architecture and urban form.
