A living landmark
of Copenhagen
since 1642

What's on

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.

The Observatory

The Round Tower is the oldest functioning observatory building in Europe. King Christian IV erected the tower to enable astronomers from the University of Copenhagen to gaze at the stars far above the lights and the smoke of the city. For centuries, it was the centre of Danish astronomy.

A Virtual Tour of the Tower

Visit the tower from home with our virtual tour. Here, you can move up the Spiral Ramp, visit Trinitatis Church, scope out the current exhibition in the Library Hall and marvel at the 360 degree view of Copenhagen’s rooftops.

The Library Hall

Hans Christian Andersen and the Round Tower

Arriving in Copenhagen as a young man, Hans Christian Andersen visited the Round Tower as one of the first things and was allowed to use the books in the University Library – provided that he put the books properly away after use. Later he returned to the tower numerous times in his writings.