Round Tower
Quick facts: The Round Tower is an iconic 17th-century landmark in Copenhagen, built by King Christian IV as an astronomical observatory.
- Ascend a unique spiral ramp (no stairs!) to reach the top.
- Explore the historic Library Hall, once housing university books.
- See the old observatory and enjoy city views.
The story behind...
Alright folks, gather 'round! Let's talk about the Rundetaarn, or as you might know it, the Round Tower. It's a pretty iconic sight in Copenhagen, and there's more to it than just a circular building.
First off, it was built by Christian IV, who was quite the king back in the 17th century. He had a thing for grand projects, and this was one of them. Construction began in 1637 and it was completed in 1642. The tower wasn't just for show, mind you. It was designed as an astronomical observatory. The University of Copenhagen needed a place to do their stargazing, and Christian IV provided them with a rather unique one.
Now, you might be wondering about that spiral ramp that winds its way up the inside. That's the tower's most distinguishing feature, isn't it? Instead of stairs, there's a 209-meter (686 ft) long ramp. Why? Well, legend has it that the king wanted to be able to ride his horse all the way to the top. And while I can't confirm the king actually did it regularly, the ramp certainly made it easier to transport heavy equipment for the observatory.
And speaking of the top, don't miss the Library Hall about halfway up. It was once the University Library and housed the university’s entire book collection.
