Listen to the Tower

Did a car really drive up the Round Tower’s Spiral Ramp? How often did famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen visit the tower? Immerse yourself in our audio stories, and find out.

We continually add more audio stories. Find them all on this page or where you get your podcasts.

The Round Tower Must Be Moved!

The street passing by the Round Tower was intensely crowded around the year 1900, and architects almost lined up with suggestions that would solve the problem.

Duration: 3:44 minutes

A Car on the Spiral Ramp

One Sunday morning in 1902 the German engineer Lorenzen arrived in his auto mobile in front of the Round Tower. He wanted to drive up the tower to demonstrate the powers of this new invention.

Duration: 4:56 minutes

Fire, Flames and Bombs

One October evening in 1728 a fire broke out in Copenhagen and the Round Tower astronomer Peder Horrebow sought refuge in the old tower. That isn’t the only time the thick walls have offered protection.

Duration: 6:56 minutes

A Fairy Tale Tower

Hans Christian Andersen visited the Round Tower right when he came to Copenhagen. He was since allowed to borrow books in the Library Hall, and the tower served as inspiration for several of his works.

Duration: 6:00 minutes

Christian IV on his Death Bed

In February 1648 King Christian IV is on his death bed at Rosenborg Castle, a stone’s throw from the Round Tower. Listen to this dramatization based on the royal doctor Otto Sperling’s memoirs.

Duration: 7:16 minutes

The Boy Who Disappeared in the Round Tower

One summer day in 1880, the two 12-year-old boys August and Emil are playing hide and seek in the Round Tower. But suddenly, August disappears without a trace and his parents call the police.

Duration: 6:17 minutes

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