Four granite elephants stand back to back. They carry a tower on their broad backs. This is the Elephant Tower in Copenhagen. It’s also known as the Elephant Gate. It’s a landmark of the Carlsberg district. This impressive structure wasn’t just a pretty face. It served a practical purpose. The space above functioned as a water tower and a herb silo.
The Elephant Tower was completed in 1901. This was the same year the Ny Carlsberg Brewhouse opened. The architect Vilhelm Dahlerup designed the tower. He also worked on earlier Carlsberg buildings. He didn’t however design the new brewhouse. Vilhelm Klein designed that. The tower. along with the Ny Carlsberg building and the Dipylon formed the main complex. They were centred around a courtyard.
The idea for the elephants came from Carl Jacobsen himself. He was inspired by Bernini’s elephant statue in Rome. The elephants were sculpted by Hans Peder Pedersen-Dan. He based his work on Dahlerup’s sketch. Jacobsen chose elephants for a reason. They symbolised strength and faithfulness. These were key to his motto Laboremus pro Patria Let us work for the fatherland. The four elephants represent the four children of Carl and Ottilia Jacobsen who survived to adulthood.
The upper tower is built of red brick. Its tall round-arched windows are striking. A copper-clad onion dome tops it all off. The tower has a small floor area only 115 square meters. The Elephant Gate is a popular passageway. Bikes cars and pedestrians all use it daily. It’s a beautiful gateway to a fascinating part of Copenhagen’s history. The swastikas on the elephants’ sides are also worth noting. They were used not as Nazi symbols but as ancient symbols of the sun. The word swastika means that which brings happiness. So next time you see the Elefanterne remember the story behind these majestic creatures. Their history is part of Copenhagen’s rich past. A blend of function artistry and family legacy. The Elefanterne are truly a sight to behold. A symbol of strength and enduring heritage.