Feel the energy of Vibenshus Runddel. This bustling crossroads in Copenhagen’s outer Østerbro district hides centuries of history. Imagine a time long ago when this very spot housed the Store Vibenshus inn. Built in 1629 it served as a residence for the gatekeeper on the royal road to Frederiksborg. The name Vibenshus first appeared in records in 1669.
Vibenshus Runddel wasn’t always a circle. The circular open space that gives the area its name only emerged in the 1770s. For centuries the area evolved. The inn burned down in 1925. A chocolate factory Galle & Jessen took its place in 1884. The factory expanded many times. Kay Fisker even won an architectural competition in 1918 for a new building. His design was never built though. A unique neon advertisement featuring jumping chocolate frogs graced the factory chimney from 1965 to 2009. It was a local landmark for decades.
Today Vibenshus Runddel is a major junction. The streets Jagtvej Nørre Allé Øster Allé and Lyngbyvejen all converge here. It’s a vibrant place. A new building for Mærsk Data stands where the chocolate factory once was. Completed in 2000 it showcases modern architecture. The Fælledklubhuset a clubhouse for local football clubs opened in 2011. It blends seamlessly with the surrounding area. Vibenshus Runddel even boasts a Copenhagen Metro station. Opened in 2019 it connects this historic spot to the rest of the city.
The area has changed constantly yet remains a vital part of Copenhagen. From a humble gatekeeper’s residence to a bustling modern hub Vibenshus Runddel carries the echoes of its past. It also embraces its future. As you stand here envision the generations who have passed through this very spot. Feel the history beneath your feet. Experience the energy of Vibenshus Runddel a place where the past and the present collide.