Museums in Center (Copenhagen K) (Copenhagen)

Arbejdermuseet

At this museum you can follow the development of the culture and history of the working classes in Denmark since 1850. The Workers' Museum is situated in the former Workers' Assembly Hall, which was built by the labour movement in 1879. The Assembly Hall was restored in 1985 to its original World War I splendour. Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxembourg and Lenin have all spoken in this hall. Nowadays The Assembly Hall is used for exhibitions, concerts, theater and political meetings. It also houses the café-bar Ølhalle 1892.

Filmhuset

Filmhuset on Gothersgade contains several screens, which show arty, old, rare and cult films. Usually they pick a director or an actor and then show all their work. The Danish Film Institute is located within Filmhuset. Here you will also find a library and a specialized bookstore, the only one in Copenhagen that deals with film as an art form. There is also a café, where movie people meet and discuss their projects. Occasional receptions are held here as well. In July and August there will be reduced opening hours and screenings.

Orlogsmuseet

Orlogsmuseum exhibits the historical collections of the Danish Navy, which consist of ship models, weapons and artillery, uniforms, ship accessories and maritime art. There is also information on NATO. In addition to the main exhibition, the museum holds several special exhibitions throughout the year.

Musikhistorisk Museum

This museum shows musical instruments from the Middle Ages until today. It is located in an old patrician house from the 1700s. There are instruments from Europe, Africa and Asia and also an exhibition on notation, scores and instrumentation.

Galleri Christian Dam

Galleri Christian Dam is an expert in Icelandic art, as well as in Nordic artists such as Finn Mickelborg.

Galleri Susanne Ottesen

Susanne Ottesen is one of the few established female gallery owners in Copenhagen. Here, you can see wild German figurative art by A R Pench (1939). Rainer Arnulf and Georg Baselitz have also had showings at Susanne Ottesen.

Kongelige Stalde og Kareter

The museum of royal stables and coaches is located at Christiansborg, where you will find vehicles, carriages, harnesses and livery dating from as early as 1770. The museum is located in one of the two wings left from the original Christiansborg, surrounded by pillars and cribs made of marble. Horses are still kept in the stables.

Fotografisk Center

Fotografisk Center is located at Gammel Strand.

Geologisk Museum

The Geological Museum is part of the University of Copenhagen and is the national museum for geology in Denmark. Here you can look at minerals, rocks and fossils from all over the world. Also stones from the moon are on display that were brought back to the earth by Apollo 17.

Thorvaldsens Museum

This museum, is a monument to the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). Located in a beautiful building close to Christiansborg and Gammel Strand. In 1838 the artist donated all his magnificent sculptures to the city of Copenhagen. He financed the building of the museum, designed by Gotlieb Bindesbøll from 1838-48. Outside you will see a couple of frieze that depict the home-coming of Thorvaldsen from Rome in 1838, made by Jørgen Sonne. The original frieze were replaced by copies in 1948-58. The interior of the museum was inspired by the old Pompeii and the wonderful frescos were created by artists living at that time. In the cellar you can see Thorvaldsen's own drawings and model sketches, as well as some of his personal belongings. He is buried under the museum's yard.

Kunsthallen Nikolaj

Kunsthallen Nikolaj (Nikolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center) was actually a church, which was built in the thirteenth century. Since 1917, the building has only been used for exhibitions of different kinds, the reason being partly the beautiful, bare interior, which has proved perfect for showing art. The building has three galleries, including one in the tower. The exhibitions consist primarily of photographic art, and throughout the years, Kunsthallen Nikolaj has become known for its often provocative art. The subtle copper spire of Kunsthallen Nikolaj is a well-known silhouette in the Copenhagen skyline. When Nikolaj Kirke was built, the harbour of Copenhagen stretched as far as the foot of the church. With its direct view over the harbour, the church was named after the seamen's patron saint, Nikolaj. Now, the square surrounding the church is called Nikolaj Plads, and is a very attractive area behind Strøget. In April this year they changed the name to Kunsthallen Nikolaj.

Nationalmuseet

Founded in 1807, the National Museum is based upon the royal art collection and is located in the Prince's Palace, built by Frederick IV for his son Christian VI. The museum underwent thorough restoration in 1992.Visitors could spend a whole month exploring the National Museum's extensive collection. The most important parts are Prehistoric Denmark, Treasures of Gold, The Viking Age, Denmark in the Middle Ages and Renaissance 1050-1650 and Denmark in the 1700s. There are also collections of ancient treasures from Egypt, Greece and Rome plus ethnographical collections about the Indians and Eskimos.