“Six thousand kilos!” That’s how much the Fishwife statue weighed. This granite sculpture at Gammel Strand is more than just a statue. It’s a reminder of Copenhagen’s bustling fish market.
For centuries, Gammel Strand was Copenhagen’s principal fish market. It was a place of lively trade and tradition. The Fishwife statue, or Fiskerkone in Danish, stands as a tribute to this history. It specifically honors the Skovser women. These women came from Skovshoved, a small fishing village north of Copenhagen. They brought fresh fish daily to sell here.
Imagine the scene: women in warm clothes, newspapers wrapped around them for extra insulation against the winter cold. They are selling their wares at open stalls. The Fishwife statue captures this hardy spirit. The fish market was closed in 1958, but the statue ensures the memory lives on.
Charles Svejstrup Madsen created the Fisken Sculpture. It was unveiled on November 12, 1940. The Foundation for the Promotion of Art in the City donated it. The statue shows a fishwife in traditional dress. She wears an apron, shawl, and scarf. In her right hand, she holds a plaice, a type of flatfish.
The Fishwife statue has dimensions of 187 cm x 80 cm x 80 cm. It’s made of granite. The statue reflects the past when Skovser women dominated the fish trade.
The Fisken Sculpture was temporarily removed in 2011. This was due to the construction of the Gammel Strand metro station. For a time, it stood at Sydhavn station. But in September 2018, it returned to its rightful place at Gammel Strand.
The Fisken Sculpture embodies Copenhagen’s rich history. It reminds us of the fishwives who once animated this area. The sculpture ensures that their legacy lives on. It stands as a symbol of Copenhagen’s connection to the sea and its vibrant past. So, take a moment to appreciate this tribute to the Skovser women. Consider the history and hard work they represent.