Envision water gently cascading. This brings us to Vandskulptur. It is not just a sculpture but a piece of Copenhagen’s history. This artwork, commissioned in 1907, stands proudly on Vandkunsten square.
Vandkunsten means “The Water Feature.” The square got its name from a watermill. It supplied Copenhagen Castle with water back in the 14th century. Imagine wooden pipes carrying water to the castle. A mill pond once sat where we stand.
In 1539, a pumping station was built here. Sadly, the water became polluted due to castle renovations. The station had to close. For years, this spot was a waste dump. Christian V ordered it cobbled over. In 1684, it became a fish market.
Now, look at the fountain’s design. The architect Johannes Magdahl Nielsen created it. It was inaugurated on September 15, 1910. The central stele is granite. Bronze and gilded metal add decorative touches.
Notice the fish scales on the lower part. Water spouts from four fish heads. These details honor the square’s past as a fish market. The top is a polished red granite hemisphere.
The buildings around Vandkunsten have stories too. Four buildings on the square are protected. Numbers 8 and 10 were once breweries. No. 8 dates back to 1750. The brewer moved his business in the 1810s. He converted the Vandkunsten building into a home. Ionic pilasters adorn the facade from that time.
The Ording House at No. 10 was built in 1803. It was also a brewery. A plaque remembers a Swedish assault on Copenhagen. It happened here in 1659. Buildings No. 11 and 13 are also listed.
Kronborg sits at the end of the square. Its design resembles Kronborg Castle in Helsingør. It once housed the Danish Teachers’ Association. The building at Vandkunsten 1 dates from 1910.
Vandkunsten has also appeared on film. It was a location in the 1967 movie “Nyhavns glade gutter.”
Vandskulptur is more than just a pretty fountain. It represents Copenhagen’s history. From watermill to fish market to art piece. Vandkunsten has seen it all. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the stories it holds.