Top Museums in Copenhagen

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

Ripley's is called, a museum of adventure and consists of 13 exciting galleries full of strange and exotic objects. It was the journalist, artist and adventurer Robert L. Ripley who collected the many strange objects in the museum during his lifetime. In the gallery called, lumber room you can see the Button Girl, a doll covered with more than 7,000 buttons. In the gallery for quackery you will find many strange gadgets and instruments that they used to believe could cure many diseases. Ripley also collected torture instruments from the middle ages and if you want to compete with the tallest man in the world (Robert Wadlow) or see how heavy the heaviest man in the world is, you can pay a visit to the gallery on, human peculiarities. Ripley's is a fun filled experience for the whole family.

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.

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.

Statens Museum for Kunst

This grandiose building was erected in 1889-96 after plans drawn by Wilhelm Dahlerup and G.E.W. Møller, in Italian Renaissance style. In autumn 1998, an extension was opened that gave the State's Art Museum the facelift it needed. The architects were Anna Maria Indrio and Mads Møller. This deeply original new building was constructed in the park behind the original building and is connected to it by a glass-covered walkway, the so-called Street of Sculptures. The street stretches along the full length of the museum, and within it concerts and dance performances are held. The museum contains collections of art dating from the twelfth century. Among the older European and Danish collections, feast your eyes on paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Breugel, Rubens, Frans Hals and Rembrandt. The modern collection comprises of work by Picasso, Braque, Leger, Modigliani and Emil Nolde. Also Danish painters are richly represented, and you can enjoy the styles of Oluf Høst, Ed ward Weihe, Olaf Rude and Harald Giersing.

Glyptoteket

Truly one of the city's great museums, the Glyptoteket was founded in 1888. The conservatory is in the heart of the museum with its beautiful palm trees and exotic plants. An extension houses classic artwork, including French Impressionists like Monet. Elsewhere, you will find an antique collection with treasures from the Orient, Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. The Glyptoteket also contains a ceremonial hall which is used for concerts and lectures.

Hirchsprungske Samling

Tobacco factory owner H. Hirschsprung and his wife Pauline created this collection of figurative art, shown in a building designed by H.P. Stock and built in 1907-11 in a Classical style. Here you will find Danish art from the 1800s, together with interiors and furniture from the homes of artists such as C.W. Eckersberg, Christian Købke and Wilhelm Marstrand. Also the Skagnes painters are represented with Michael and Anna Anker and P.S. Krøyer. Within the Hirchsprungs collection you can also find a few paintings by Hammerhøi and L.A. Ring.

Kunstindustrimuseet

At the Museum of Applied Arts you will find handicrafts dating from the Middle Ages up until today. Amongst the many items there are fabrics, china and faiences, silverware and jewels, but also furniture and other household goods. The museum is located in an old Rococo building dating from 1757. In the summer the Grønnegård theater holds performances in the beautiful garden belonging to the museum.

Københavns Bymuseum

Københavns Bymuseum is located near Vesterbro Torv in the Kongelige Skydeselskab building, dating from 1797. This museum gives you an opportunity to learn about the history of Copenhagen and see how the city has developed through the centuries. The history of Copenhagen is told through sounds and visuals in an interesting film on the city.

Danske Grafikeres Hus

This is the Center for Danish Lithographical artists. Exhibitions you can see here are by Anette Johns, Susanne Helweg and Jytte Rex.

Statens Museum for Børn

In the newly built and much discussed addition to Statens Museum for Kunst (the State's Art Museum), one of the novelties is a section for children. This is located in a place with a view of the park, and contains exhibitions of paintings that are relevant for children. There is also a cinema and a workshop. This section is primarily meant for children between six and twelve, and all rooms and spaces have been created according to rules given by children. In other museums, children are normally taught about art through touching the works of art. In Statens Museum for Kunst, children learn how to "touch the works of art with their eyes", and their interest will be sharpened.