“Lygten?” a confused traveler asks. “Isn’t that Danish for ‘The Lantern’?” Indeed, it is. We’re standing before Lygten Station. It’s a building steeped in history and now pulsating with cultural vibrancy.
Lygten Station once served as the terminus for the Copenhagen–Slangerup Railway. The railway opened in 1906. Imagine the steam trains puffing their way here from the northwest of the city. Slangerup was a small town back then.
Heinrich Wenck designed Lygten Station in the National Romantic style. He was the head architect of the Danish State Railways. The station took its name from Lygteåen. This was a local stream.
In its early days, Lygten Station stood somewhat isolated. It was on the outskirts of Nørrebro. The location was intended to be temporary. City planners were still deciding the final routes for new railways near Copenhagen. The railway crossed Nørrebrogade. It continued through Nørrebro to the old Nørrebro station. Nørrebro Park sits there today.
The Danish State Railways took over the line in 1948. The portion from Farum to Slangerup closed in 1954. Lygten Station ceased operating on April 24, 1976. This happened when the Farum railway became an S-train line. It connected to the network at Svanemøllen station.
Later, Nørrebro Bycenter was built on the former tracks and platforms. It is a small shopping center. However, Lygten Station wasn’t demolished. It was listed in 1982.
Step inside Lygten Station. From 2007, the building housed Filmstationen. It transformed the space into a cinema. A year later, it officially became a culture house.
Today, Lygten Station hosts concerts and stand-up comedy. Film screenings and art exhibitions also take place here. Literary events add to the diverse program. Various associations rent the space. It’s also used for special events. The Copenhagen Railway Club even holds monthly meetings here. This preserves a connection to the past.
There were plans to close Lygten Station as a culture house in 2014. This was due to budget cuts. But public support saved it. It remains a vital cultural hub.
Notice the road beside the station. That’s Lygten. It connects Nørrebrogade and Frederikssundsvej with Tagensvej. It runs past Nørrebro Bycenter. The road is named after Lygteåen. This stream now flows underground.
Opposite Lygten Station, you will see a legal graffiti wall. It adds an edgy contrast to the historic building.
Lygten Station embodies transformation. From railway terminus to cultural heart, it has served the community well. It stands as a testament to Copenhagen’s ability to blend history with modern life. Its story echoes far beyond these walls.