“Did you know this old pile of bricks has a story of sieges and betrayals?” That is Jarmers Tårn.
Jarmers Tårn is an old ruined tower. It stands here in Copenhagen. Once, it was part of the city’s moat. Jarmers Tårn is all that’s left of eleven towers. They were joined together as part of the medieval fort.
Let’s journey back to the 16th century. This tower was built at that time. It is named after Jaromar II of Rüden. He was a Prince of the Wends. In 1259, he attacked Copenhagen. He broke through the wooden walls around the city. Jaromar supported Jakob Erlandsen. He was the Archbishop of Lund. The archbishop was in a fight with King Christoffer I of Denmark.
The king didn’t like the archbishop’s power. He resisted the church’s attempts to change Danish law. After the Bishop was locked up, Jaromar attacked Zealand in 1259. He broke through Copenhagen’s defenses. It was right where Jarmers Tårn now stands. Jaromar’s warriors burned most of Copenhagen. They even destroyed Bishop Absalon’s castle.
Jarmers Tårn was made with large red bricks. Dark burned bricks created a pattern on it. From 1880 to 1885, the area around Jarmers Tårn was dug up. The moat was filled in for the Nordic Exhibition of 1888. After that, Jarmers Tårn was fixed up. It was kept as a ruin. The plaza around it is now called Jarmers Plads. It is where Nørre Voldgade meets H.C. Andersens Boulevard.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, brick walls replaced the old palisades. Jarmers Tårn was one of several towers added for extra defense. During the Siege of Copenhagen in 1523, the fortress showed some weaknesses. King Frederik I ordered improvements. The current tower was built around 1528.
The oldest map of Copenhagen shows several towers around 1600. But no other towers have been found. There are no other written records of them either.
From 1607, the ramparts were made higher. Earth covered the tower. A cannon was placed there. It was named “the angry snake.” The old wall around the tower was torn down by 1618. The top of the tower was removed. A roof was added.
Helmers Bastion was built from 1623 to 1624. It was made stronger with earth. Jarmers Tårn was inside it. It was used as a storehouse. In the 1660s, it was made even stronger. Later, a low wall was added. This corner bastion had a different shape than the others. The name became official in 1671.
Throughout the 17th century, the site was used as a prison for soldiers. As the ramparts changed, more earth was piled on. The tower was almost hidden by 1670. At that time, the prison was thought to be unsuitable there. King Christian 5 ordered it moved. It was moved to what is now Stokhusgade.
In 1651, a miller got permission to build a windmill on the bastion. The ramparts were losing their importance. Later, a Dutch mill replaced it. It was called Sankt Peders Mølle. This was after Sankt Peders Stræde. The city took over the fortress in 1870. The buildings were removed in 1885. The mill was moved to Sønder Jernløse. It is still there today. From 1886, the bastion was part of Aborreparken. The park is now gone.
The tower was mostly forgotten. Then in 1874, the ramparts were removed. The ruins were found. In 1885, the ramparts, bastion, and tower were fully uncovered. There was a debate about whether to keep the ruin or remove it. But since the tower wasn’t in the way, it was decided to keep it.
Legend says that Jarmers Tårn is the last bit of a monastery. Monks lured young girls into its underground passages. They then disappeared.
So, next time you pass by Jarmers Tårn, remember its long history. Think of sieges. Think of princes. Think of hidden passages and forgotten windmills. It is all part of Copenhagen’s story.