Gazing at the Gefion Fountain, one might mistake it for a simple display of mythical grandeur. But the Gefion Fountain whispers a tale deeply intertwined with the very ground we stand on. This magnificent fountain, nestled near Kastellet on Copenhagen’s harbor front, is more than just a beautiful sculpture. It embodies the legendary birth of Zealand, the island where Copenhagen resides. The Gefion Fountain depicts the Norse goddess Gefjon, her powerful oxen, and a plow. These figures, sculpted by Anders Bundgaard, are frozen in a moment of mythical exertion.
The Gefion Fountain was a gift from the Carlsberg Foundation to Copenhagen. It commemorated the brewery’s 50th anniversary. Originally intended for the city hall square, it found its home by the Øresund, close to Kastellet. The fountain was brought to life on July 14, 1908. It underwent significant renovations starting in 1999, only to be re-inaugurated in 2004. The Gefion Fountain illustrates the legend of Zealand’s creation. The Swedish king Gylfi promised Gefjon as much land as she could plow in a single day and night. Gefjon, resourceful and determined, transformed her four sons into oxen. These weren’t ordinary oxen. They possessed immense strength.
With her powerful sons-turned-oxen, Gefjon plowed deep into the earth. They carved out a massive piece of land, pulling it with all their might into the sea. This land, according to legend, became the island of Zealand. The resulting void, filled with water, formed a lake. Some claim this lake to be Vänern in Sweden, given its resemblance in size and shape to Zealand. The Gefion Fountain, with its dynamic depiction of Gefjon and her oxen, stands as a testament to this legendary feat. It’s a constant reminder of the mythical forces that shaped this land. Look closely at the strain in the oxen’s muscles, the determination on Gefjon’s face. Imagine the sheer force required to tear land from the earth. This fountain is more than just a monument. It is a portal to a time of myth and legend. It is a celebration of the very ground we stand on.