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Rundetårn Photo by Avda

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Rundetårn

Rundetårn famously known as The Round Tower, formerly Stellaburgis Hafniens, is a 17th-century tower located in central Copenhagen, Denmark, and one of the many architectural projects of Christian IV of Denmark, built as an astronomical observatory.

It is most noted for its equestrian staircase, a 7.5-turn helical corridor leading to the platform at the top (at 34.8 meters above ground), and for the expansive views which it affords over Copenhagen.Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating facts about it;

1.The tower is an observation tower for views of Copenhagen

Rundetårn Photo by Avda

The tower is part of the Trinitatis Complex which also provided the scholars of the time with a university chapel, the Trinitatis Church, and an academic library which were the first facilities of the Copenhagen University Library which had been founded in 1482.

Today, the Round Tower serves as an observation tower for views of Copenhagen, a public astronomical observatory, and a historical monument. The Library Hall above the church is only accessible along the tower’s ramp and is a venue for exhibitions and concerts.

2.The foundation stone was laid on 7 July 1637

The foundation stone for its construction was laid on 7 July 1637.The Trinitatis Complex was set for construction in a crowded neighbourhood of narrow streets and alleyways. The area first had to be cleared. On 18 April 1637, 200 men, soldiers and personnel from Bremerholm began to demolish the half-timbered houses occupying the site. 

In 1642, the tower was finally completed, though the church was completed only in 1657 and the library in 1657.Christian Longomontanus became the first director of the observatory.In the Great Fire of 1728 the Trinitatis Complex was severely damaged but was rebuilt. 

3. In the early 19th century, the Round Tower became outdated 

During the early 19th century, the Round Tower became outdated as an astronomical observatory. Instruments were growing still larger while the tower could not be expanded and, at the same time, light pollution from the surrounding city and vibrations caused by the ever increasing traffic in the streets below had made the observations inaccurate.

The University therefore decided to build Østervold Observatory on the old bastioned fortifications of the city, which had become outdated and were being decommissioned. The new observatory was inaugurated in 1861 to the design of Christian Hansen.

4.The tower is built in masonry of alternating yellow and red bricks

Detail of the brickwork at the Round Tower in Copenhagen, Denmark Photo by Doc Searls

The Round Tower is a cylindrical tower built in masonry of alternating yellow and red bricks, the colours of the Oldenburgs. The bricks used were manufactured in the Netherlands and are of a hard-burned, slender type known as muffer or mopper.

On the rear side, it is attached to the Trinitatis Church, but it has never served as a church tower.Steenwinckel with the Trinitatis Complex has left his signature style. Unlike his other buildings with their lavish ornamentations and extravagant spires, the complex is built to a focused and restrained design.

5.The tower is made up of different materials and designs

The tower is made up of different materials and designs including a 7.5-turn spiral ramp forms the only access way to the towertop observatory as well as the Library Hall and the Bell-Ringer’s Loft, both located above the church. An observation deck which is located 34.8 m above street level. 

An observatory which is a small domed building, built on the roof of the tower. On the upper part of the façade of the tower, there is a gilded rebus inscription. Christian IV’s draft of it, written in his own hand writing, is kept at the Danish National Archives. The rebus includes the four Hebrew consonants of the Tetragrammaton.

6. The tower also has a toilet used by researchers and astronomers

The tower contains a toilet used by the researchers and astronomers working in the tower and consisting of a seat almost at the top and a shaft leading down to the bottom floor built into the hollow core.

This shaft has no way of emptying it nor any ventilation to the outside, making it arguably one of the world’s largest and earliest septic tanks.These are some of the designs the contractor was most renowned for. 

7.The tower is also used as a venue for several different events

RundetÃ¥rn – interior, Copenhagen Photo by Jakub HaÅ‚un

Today the Round Tower serves as an observation tower, a public astronomical observatory, an exhibition and concert venue and a historical monument.Some of these events include; Public observatory, Exhibitions and concerts

The tower is also used for Views and Rundetaarn Unicycle Race which is usually held in the Round Tower. The contestants have to go up and down the tower. The world record, set in 1988, is 1 minute and 48.7 seconds. 

8.The tower was commissioned by King Christian IV and designed by Hans Steenwinckel 

The tower was commissioned by King Christian IV and designed by architect Hans Steenwinckel the Younger. It remained in use as an observatory until mid 19th century when light pollution from the city and vibrations from the street traffic made accurate observations impossible.

Today there is still an old telescope on the roof that is used by amateurs during the winter. However, the unusual internal structure of the tower gave rise to a quite peculiar activity, racing up and down the tower with various sorts of vehicles.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near the tower

There are several hotels and restaurants near the tower including;Rosenborg Hotel Apartments which is 0.04 miles away, 3 Bed Rooms (0.04 mi) and 2 Bed Room Loft Apartment which is 0.04 miles away. 

Restaurants near RundetÃ¥rn include;Hanega, Doep which is 0.01 miles away, Studenterhuset (0.02 mi) and Den Okologiske Polsemand which is 0.02 miles away. 

10.The tower is the Oldest observation tower in Europe still in use

The tower is the Oldest observation tower in Europe still in use. To get to the top you’ll have to use the 209 m long spiral ramp which turns 7.5 times round the hollow core of the tower.It was constructed for the purpose of astronomical observations, such activities were moved elsewhere in 1861.

The 400 year old RundetÃ¥rn in Copenhagen is one of the best sites to visit and among the most visited and most sought after places in the world.The tower itself is a beauty to behold.