Up the Round Tower’s gentle slope a horse and carriage once climbed. This wasn’t just any carriage. It carried Czar Peter the Great and his wife Catherine I. They ascended the unique helical ramp in 1716. A truly regal journey up the Round Tower.
The Round Tower in Copenhagen is more than just a pretty face. Built in the 17th century by Christian IV it’s a masterpiece of Dutch Baroque architecture. It wasn’t just some fancy addition to the city. No. It was built to serve a vital purpose. A place of astronomical study.
Christian Longomontanus the royal astronomer was the driving force. He envisioned a new observatory. A replacement for Tycho Brahe’s demolished Stjerneborg. The Round Tower provided the perfect solution. It joined a church and library forming the Trinitatis Complex. This was more than just a building. It was a symbol of royal power. A testament to Denmark’s scientific ambitions.
The construction was no walk in the park. Bricks were imported from the Netherlands. Local manufacturers couldn’t meet the required standards. The site itself was a crowded area. Demolition of existing buildings was needed to make way for the Round Tower. Money was tight. Churches across Denmark and Norway had to contribute. This resulted in a few construction pauses.
The Round Tower’s ramp is truly remarkable. It’s a 7.5 turn spiral. Horses and carriages could easily ascend it. This allowed easy transport of heavy astronomical instruments. It also facilitated book movement in and out of the library. The unique ramp is 210 meters long. It climbs 3.74 meters per turn.
The Round Tower wasn’t always just an observatory. The top housed astronomers. At least one or two employees lived there at times. Peder Horrebow was one such inhabitant. He was an observer and lived there in 1753. That is quite something for such a unique place as the Round Tower.
By the 19th century the Round Tower was outdated. Instruments were getting larger. The tower couldn’t expand. Light and traffic pollution interfered with observations. So a new observatory was built. The Østervold Observatory took over in 1861. But the Round Tower’s legacy lived on.
Today you can still climb the Round Tower. Enjoy panoramic views of Copenhagen. Marvel at its history. Witness the spot of many unusual ascents. The first motorized vehicle a Beaufort car went up in 1902. Even bicycle races have taken place here. The Round Tower remains a vibrant testament to Copenhagen’s rich history and scientific past. A symbol of innovation and regal ambition that continues to amaze.