The Old Execution Site in Copenhagen 1946–1950
A quiet concrete slab on Copenhagen’s old ramparts where 29 convicted collaborators were executed after World War II, this stark site confronts the dilemmas of post‑war justice.
Hidden in a quiet, leafy corner on the old ramparts by Christiania, the Old Execution Site in Copenhagen is a stark reminder of Denmark’s turbulent post‑war years. Here, between 1946 and 1950, 29 convicted Nazi collaborators were executed by firing squad after controversial treason trials. Today only a low concrete slab with a central drain, framed by stones and grass, marks the place. There are no grand monuments, just a hauntingly modest trace that invites reflection on justice, revenge and the difficult moral questions that followed the occupation.
A brief summary to The Old Execution site in Copenhagen 1946-1950
- -62 S, Norddyssen 60, Copenhagen Municipality, København S, 2300, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Bring background reading or a downloaded article about the collaborator trials; on‑site information is minimal and context greatly enriches the visit.
- Wear sturdy shoes; access is via unpaved paths along the old ramparts, which can be muddy or uneven after rain.
- Pair the stop with nearby World War II sites or museums in central Copenhagen to place this small, stark spot within the broader history of occupation and resistance.
- Visit during daylight for better orientation on the ramparts; the area is not heavily lit after dark and feels quite secluded.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Metro and walk
Take the M1 or M2 metro line to Christianshavn Station, then walk for about 20–25 minutes along the canals and into the rampart area north of Christiania on mostly flat but partly unpaved paths. A single metro ticket within Copenhagen typically costs around 20–30 DKK, and trains run every few minutes throughout the day.
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Bus and short walk
Use a city bus service towards Refshaleøen or Holmen, getting off near the northern edge of Christiania. From the stop, expect a 10–15 minute walk on mixed pavement and gravel along the old fortifications. Standard bus fares within the city are roughly 20–30 DKK per journey, and services are generally frequent in daytime, less so late at night.
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Bicycle from central Copenhagen
From the inner city, cycling to the execution site takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on your starting point. Copenhagen has extensive bike lanes most of the way, but the final stretch along the ramparts involves narrower shared paths and some uneven surfaces, so moderate cycling confidence is helpful. You can rent a city bike or standard rental bicycle for roughly 100–200 DKK per day.
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Taxi from city centre
A taxi ride from central Copenhagen to the edge of the rampart area near the site usually takes 10–15 minutes in normal traffic. Fares commonly fall in the range of 120–200 DKK one way, depending on distance and time of day. Taxis will drop you on nearby streets; from there you walk several minutes along paths to reach the secluded concrete slab.
The Old Execution site in Copenhagen 1946-1950 location weather suitability
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Discover more about The Old Execution site in Copenhagen 1946-1950
A secluded clearing with a heavy past
From the footpath along Copenhagen’s old outer ramparts, the Old Execution Site can be easy to miss. At first glance it is just a slightly sunken concrete rectangle in the grass, edged with small boulders under a canopy of trees. Birds sing, cyclists pass, and the scene feels more like a casual green space than a historical landmark. Yet this quiet corner near Christiania once formed part of a military compound, chosen precisely because it was shielded from public view. Step closer and the details emerge: the rough concrete surface, the visible drain in the centre, the framing stones that give the slab an almost improvised boundary. There is no dramatic sculpture or towering cross, only the stubborn physical trace of a structure that has disappeared. The modesty of the remains is part of their power, leaving space for imagination and reflection.Post‑war reckoning and the return of the firing squad
Between 1946 and 1950 this spot was one of two locations in Denmark where death sentences from the so‑called collaborator trials were carried out. After liberation in 1945, the Danish state temporarily reintroduced capital punishment for particularly serious crimes committed during the occupation, targeting informers, members of paramilitary units and others held responsible for torture and killings. Dozens were sentenced to death, and 42 executions were ultimately performed across the country. At this site, 29 condemned men faced a firing squad drawn from the armed forces. A wooden shed once stood where you now see bare concrete. The executees were placed inside the open‑fronted structure, with the firing squad assembled outside on the grass. The shed provided a controlled environment, both practical and symbolic, separating the act from the surrounding city even as it took place just beyond its edge.The vanished shed and what remains today
The wooden building was dismantled after the post‑war executions ended, leaving only the foundation and drain embedded in the rampart. Over time, grass crept up around the concrete and the site slipped into obscurity. Later, the circle of stones was added, giving the slab a clearer outline without turning it into a formal monument. There are typically few explanatory signs here, so understanding the place relies on prior knowledge or careful research. That lack of interpretation can make a visit feel almost like a private discovery. The remains are blunt and functional, not aesthetic objects. By stripping the scene to its essentials, the site draws attention to procedure rather than spectacle: a floor, a drain, a wall that is no longer there. The emptiness invites you to think about who stood here, who pulled the triggers, and how societies attempt to close the book on occupation and collaboration.Context among Copenhagen’s wartime memorials
Copenhagen holds several significant World War II sites, from the memorial park at Ryvangen to museums dedicated to resistance activities. In contrast, this execution ground is small, almost hidden, focused not on heroic resistance but on punishment after the fact. It represents the darker, more ambiguous side of post‑war justice, where legal accountability intersected with anger and calls for retribution. Seen alongside other memorials, the Old Execution Site adds an important layer to the city’s wartime story. It reminds visitors that liberation brought difficult choices: whether to revive abolished penalties, how harshly to treat collaborators, and how to live with those decisions decades later. Standing here, you sense both the finality of the shots once fired and the unresolved debates they left behind.Experiencing the atmosphere of the ramparts
Today the surrounding ramparts are part of a relaxed, semi‑wild green belt that blends into the edge of Freetown Christiania. Joggers, dog‑walkers and locals on bikes share the path, and the rustle of leaves softens the site’s severity. The contrast between the peaceful present and the place’s former role as a killing ground is striking. A visit is generally brief, but lingering for a few minutes allows the details to sink in: the orientation of the slab, the way the ground falls away on the rampart, the sounds of the city just distant enough to feel removed. It is not a place for spectacle or long stays, but for a short, sober pause in the middle of an otherwise lively part of Copenhagen.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
The Old Execution site in Copenhagen 1946-1950
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A hidden concrete foundation marks where post-war Denmark executed Nazi collaborators in secrecy.
Nyholm Central Guardhouse
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Larsens Pl.
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I am Queen Mary
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Krudhuset
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Sankt Annæ Pl.
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Hans Christian Andersen plaque
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Horn mine
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Iver Huitfeldt Memorial
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Langelinie Park
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Sankt Annæ Gade
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Havnegade Promenaden
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St. Alexander Nevsky Church
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Our Fallen
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Frederik's Church
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Unmissable attractions to see
Holmen
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North Atlantic House
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Operaen
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Ofelia Plads
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Hey Captain
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The Playhouse
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Inderhavnsbroen
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Explore the evolution of Danish design at Copenhagen's historic Designmuseum Danmark.
Green George af Thomas Dambo - Trold nr. 50
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A towering recycled-wood troll at Christiania’s entrance, Green George blends street art, sustainability and playful storytelling in the heart of Copenhagen.
The Kissing Stairs
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Amaliehaven
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Springvandet i Amaliehaven af Arnaldo Pomodoro
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Kongeskibet Dannebrog
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Christiania
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A self-governing “freetown” of murals, lakeside paths and experimental living, tucked behind Copenhagen’s old ramparts in the heart of Christianshavn.
Amaliegade
1.3 km
A stately Copenhagen street where Rococo townhouses, royal colonnades and diplomatic mansions line a calm axis through the heart of Frederiksstaden.
Rytterstatuen
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Essential places to dine
Noma
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La Banchina
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Restaurant Barr
1.1 km
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Khun Juk
1.3 km
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Restaurant Kanalen
1.4 km
Seasonal Danish cooking and relaxed Nordic elegance in a historic canalside house on Christianshavn, where boats glide past your table and the water sets the mood.
Restaurant Lola
1.4 km
Bold, travel-inspired cooking and inventive smørrebrød served in a sunny 17th‑century house with a leafy garden hideaway on Christianshavn’s historic ramparts.
Skipperkroen
1.5 km
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Cap Horn
1.5 km
Candlelit Nordic bistro in a historic Nyhavn townhouse, blending classic Danish seafood, canal views and cosy hygge from late morning to late evening.
Cafe Wilder
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A cherished French bistro where Parisian charm meets Copenhagen authenticity on the historic streets of Christianshavn.
Reffen - Skøjteøen
1.6 km
Copenhagen’s dynamic hub for global street food, creative pop-ups, and urban harbor vibes in a repurposed shipyard setting with a seasonal ice skating rink.
Alchemist
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Nyhavns Færgekro
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Aoc
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à terre
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Restaurant Rebel
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Maritime Antiques &
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Copenhagenglass
1.4 km
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The Crown souvenir
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Compact, colorful souvenir stop on elegant Amaliegade, perfect for picking up Danish flags, Little Mermaid trinkets and royal-themed keepsakes near Amalienborg.
Royal Souvenir Shop
1.5 km
Compact and colourful, Royal Souvenir Shop on Bredgade distils Copenhagen into easy‑to‑pack gifts, from royal guards and Vikings to flags, mugs and playful keepsakes.
Zane
1.6 km
Intimate Copenhagen florist and design boutique on stylish Bredgade, blending seasonal blooms, Nordic homeware and thoughtful gifts in a cosy, lived-in space.
The Wilde Shop
1.7 km
A boutique vintage shop in Indre By, Copenhagen bringing together handpicked retro clothing, sustainable fashion, and curated Scandinavian style in a welcoming setting.
Welcome Giftshop & Souvenirs
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Magasin du Nord
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Viking Souvenirs
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Danish Souvenirs & luggages
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Copenhagen Souvenir & Design
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Urban Outfitters
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Storm - design art fashion
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ILLUM
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Copenhagen Souvenir & Design World of Memories
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Eiffel bar
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Whammy Bar
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TATA Cocktail Bar
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A velvet-draped, fireplace-warmed cocktail hideaway inside Hotel Sanders, where classic mixology, Danish design and theatre-inspired charm blend seamlessly.
Brønnum
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Black Swan
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Aloha Beach Bar
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Island-inspired cocktails, neon glow and late-night party vibes packed into a compact tropical bar just off Gothersgade in central Copenhagen.
Bar Deco
1.9 km
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Balthazar
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1105
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Lassie Bar
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The Moose
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K-Bar
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Ved Stranden
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Charlie's Bar
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Trykbar
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
Lusso
1.9 km
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Mini Bar
2.0 km
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Culture Box
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The Zoo
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Chateau Motel
2.5 km
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Hive
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Copenhagen's premier high-end nightclub with cutting-edge design, VIP service, and immersive themed experiences.
Rumors
2.6 km
Discover the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Rumors, where energetic vibes and unforgettable nights await you.
Mirror
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Dive into the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Mirror, where the rhythm never stops and unforgettable memories are made.
Miami Bar
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Discover Copenhagen's nightlife at Miami Bar, where cocktails and dancing create unforgettable nights in a vibrant atmosphere.
Club Mambo
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Arch
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Mirage
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La Terraza
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Dorsia
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Cosy Bar
2.8 km
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
