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The Gefion Fountain at Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen, Denmark. By Terry Whalebone

Top 10 Facts about Gefion Fountain

Gefion Fountain is a large fountain on the harbor front in  Copenhagen, Denmark. It features a large-scale group of oxen pulling a plow and being driven by the  Norse goddess Gefjon.

It is located in the Nordre Toldbold area next to  Kastellet and immediately south of  Langelinie.

 Gefion is the largest monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing well.

Here are some facts about Gefion Fountain;

1. The Fountain has sculptures of Gefion and her four oxen.

Gefion sculpture and the four oxen. By Bloodofox

When you arrive at the fountain, you look up at the sculpture of Gefion and her four oxen.

The fountain itself is not high, but the way the water flows gives it more power and makes the statue more convincing. You can almost imagine the power it must have taken Gefion and her oxen to plow the Swedish lands from which they carved Zealand in just one day.

Walking up the stairs next to the fountain, you will see small waterfalls and snakeheads, and then you come to the higher plateau from which you have a close look at the oxen and the water spraying out of their noses.

2. The fountain was first planned to be at  City Hall Square

Copenhagen City Hall on R氓dhuspladsen (City Hall Square). By European Commission

Originally, the fountain was supposed to be at the R氓dhusplassen or City Hall Square, but instead was erected near Kastellet on the harbor front, near Churchillparken and the English church.

It makes a nice stopover on a walk from the city center and Amalienborg to the Little Mermaid, and although the latter is the famous landmark of the city, I think the Gefion fountain is a much more interesting sight at a more beautiful location – even though it would have been perfect also at the City Hall Square.

3. The fountain depicts the mythical story of the creation of the island of Zealand

The fountain depicts the mythical story of the creation of the island of Zealand on which Copenhagen is located.

The legend appears in  Ragnarsdrapa, a 9th-century Skaldic poem recorded in the 13th century  Prose Edda and in  Ynglinga Saga as recorded in  Snorri Sturluson’s 13th-century Heimskringla.

According to the Ynglinga saga, the Swedish king  Gylifi promised Gefjun the territory she could plow in a night. She turned her four sons into oxen, and the territory they plowed out of the earth was then thrown into the Danish sea between  Scania and the island of  Fyn. The hole became a lake called L枚grinn and Leginum (locative). 

4. The fountain Donation by the Carlsberg Foundation

The Fountain Was donated by Carlsberg Foundation. By Giggle,

Gefion Fountain was donated by the Carlsberg Foundation as a gift to the city on the occasion of the Carlsberg brewery鈥檚 50-year anniversary in 1897.

The figures of the fountain were created from 1897-1904by sculptor Anders Bundgaard (1864-1937) in rented facilities at the Danish Cryolite Company – as his own workshop had limited space to fulfill such a large project.

The entire fountain with the basins and sculptors was completed and revealed in 1908 to the public.

5. . The fountain was re-inaugurated after many years

Gefion was designed by Danish artist Anders Bundgaard, who sculpted the naturalistic figures 1897-99.

The basins and decorations were completed in 1908. The fountain was first activated on July 14, 1908.

Gefion underwent extensive renovations starting in 1999. The fountain was out of commission for many years and was re-inaugurated in September 2004.

6. St. Alban鈥檚 Anglican Church of Copenhagen

The Gefion Fountain and St. Alban’s Church in Copenhagen. By Jin Zan. Wikimedia

The St.Alban’s Anglican Church is the oldest English church in Copenhagen.  It’s really near the beautiful Gefion Fountain and on the way to check the famous “Little Mermaid” statue.

The church is really cute inside, English style, and the nature around is just astonishing. It’s really worth checking it out, especially since it’s on the way to visit The Little Mermaid.

  Built-in the Gothic Revival style, many locals feel that this is Copenhagen’s most elegant church. With its multi-hued design, sharp lines, and picturesque location overlooking Kastellet鈥檚 moat the 鈥淓nglish Church鈥� can be quite enchanting.

Situated immediately next to the church is the Gefion fountain which depicts the Gefjun (Norse mythology) riding in a chariot pulled by giant animals. Designed by Anders Bundgaard, the fountain is dramatic and features spraying water which leaves you feeling as though Gefjun is in motion while in the midst of a raging stream.

7. The Fountain is the largest monument in Copenhagen

The fountain features large animal figures being driven by the legendary Norse goddess, Gefjun. Who was said to be the goddess who plowed the island of Zealand out of Sweden, the island that Copenhagen sits on today?

It is a large fountain on the harbor front in Copenhagen, Denmark. The fountain is located in the Nordre Toldbod area next to Kastellet and immediately south of Langelinie. Gefion fountain is the largest monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing well.

8. Gefion is located near the Little Mermaid 

The Little Mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite and sits in the water at Langelinie Pier. 

It was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. 

The monument is situated near Gefion Fountain hence becoming one of the most famous Monuments in Copenhagen.

9. Gefion Fountain is a tourist attraction site

Tourists having a fun moment near Gefion Fountain. By News Oresund.

The Fountain is a popular tourist attraction – and is used as a wishing well by thousands of visitors every year.

Lavishly decorated fountain with the dominant figure of the goddess and many smaller details such as the snakes on the edge.

This fountain is one of the largest monuments in the city. Throw in a coin and wish you something, it means it will come true.

Note the statue of a woman with four bulls in front of her at the top of the fountain. The statue represents the pagan goddess Gefion or Gejfun. Therefore people from different parts visit this place to experience all the written theories about Gefion Fountain.

10.  Artist Anders Bundgaard designed the fountain 

It was designed by Danish artist  Anders Bundgaard who sculpted the naturalistic figures 1897鈥�99.

The basins and decorations were completed in 1908.  It was first activated on July 14, 1908.

The fountain underwent extensive renovations starting in 1999. It was out of commission for many years and was re-inaugurated in September 2004.