Picture this a bustling square in the heart of Frederiksberg. This is Sankt Thomas Plads a place steeped in history. It’s more than just a pretty square though. It’s a living testament to Copenhagen’s past.
Sankt Thomas Plads traces its roots back to 1700-1704 when Frederiksberg Allé was created as a royal driveway. This grand avenue led directly to the gardens of Frederiksberg Palace. Imagine the King’s carriages rolling down this very path. For years this little plaza remained nameless. It was simply known as “The Small Circle” a quiet contrast to the larger Frederiksberg Runddel at the avenue’s other end.
The square’s name however is far more intriguing. It comes from a country house owned by Albert Heinrich Riise. He was the first pharmacist on Saint Thomas in the Danish West Indies. Around 1868 he purchased this villa here naming it Sankt Thomas after his island home. This name stuck even after Riise’s death in 1882. The villa became an entertainment venue and eventually lent its name to the square itself. The original building was demolished in 1903. But the name Sankt Thomas Plads lived on. It officially became the square’s name only in 2003.
In 1932 the square underwent a transformation. Two remarkable monuments were erected. Designed by Aage Sigurd Kjeldgaard Lautritzen they stand as symbols of Frederiksberg’s history. Each features a bronze figure sculpted by Jenő Meister. One shows a falconer representing the royal falconry farm Falkonergården. The other depicts a Dutch woman a tribute to Dutch immigrants who settled in Frederiksberg in the 17th century.
Today Sankt Thomas Plads offers a tranquil retreat. You can relax and watch the world go by. But remember as you sit here you’re surrounded by centuries of history. Each stone whispers tales of kings pharmacists and immigrants. It’s a little slice of Danish history in the heart of Copenhagen.