Søren Aabye Kierkegaard Statue by Louis Hasselriis
A quiet bronze of Denmark’s great existential thinker, seated with manuscripts in a hidden garden behind the Royal Library in the heart of Copenhagen.
Tucked into Copenhagen’s tranquil Royal Library Garden, the bronze statue of Søren Aabye Kierkegaard by Louis Hasselriis offers a quiet encounter with Denmark’s most influential philosopher. Unveiled in 1918 and based on an earlier statuette, it shows Kierkegaard seated with manuscripts in hand, framed by lawns, trees and fountains. It is a compact, reflective stop where literature, theology and landscape gently meet in the heart of the city.
A brief summary to Søren Aabye Kierkegaard by Louis Hasselriis
- Copenhagen, Indre By, DK
- +4533257400
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Combine a visit to the statue with unhurried time in the Royal Library Garden; bring a book or notebook and use the benches as your own reflective retreat.
- Visit on a weekday morning or late afternoon for a calmer atmosphere, when office crowds thin and the garden often feels semi-private.
- Look closely at Kierkegaard’s posture and hands; the slightly informal pose and scattered manuscripts reflect the sculptor’s focus on thought rather than grandeur.
- In cooler months, dress warmly; the garden is outdoors and the breeze funnelling between nearby buildings can make the air feel colder than expected.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
Getting There
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Metro and short walk
From central Copenhagen, take the M1 or M2 metro line to Gammel Strand or Kongens Nytorv, which typically takes 3–6 minutes from Nørreport. A standard single metro ticket within the city centre usually costs around 20–30 DKK. From either station, allow 10–15 minutes on foot along mostly flat, paved streets through the historic core to reach the Royal Library Garden where the statue is located. The route is generally suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though cobblestones in some sections can make the ride a bit uneven.
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City bus plus walk
Several inner-city bus routes serve the area around Christiansborg and the Royal Library, with journey times of about 5–15 minutes from Nørreport or Vesterbro depending on traffic. A bus ticket within the central zones typically costs about 20–30 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines or travel apps. Buses run frequently during the day but less often late evenings and on weekends. From the nearest bus stops, expect a 5–10 minute walk on level pavements through government and cultural quarters to the garden. This option suits visitors who prefer minimal walking while staying within public transport.
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Bicycle from inner Copenhagen
Using a standard or bike-share bicycle, you can reach the Royal Library Garden from Nørreport, Vesterbro or Østerbro in roughly 10–15 minutes along Copenhagen’s extensive cycle path network. Many hotels and shops rent bicycles, typically starting around 100–150 DKK per day, while app-based bike shares charge smaller amounts per ride. Cycling lanes are well marked and separated from traffic on most main streets, but rush-hour periods can be busy. Bicycle parking racks are available around the Royal Library complex, though you should bring a lock and always secure your bike before entering the garden.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard by Louis Hasselriis location weather suitability
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Discover more about Søren Aabye Kierkegaard by Louis Hasselriis
A contemplative figure in the Library Garden
Seated in a simple chair, coat draped around his slight frame and manuscripts resting in his hands, the bronze figure of Søren Aabye Kierkegaard feels less like a monument and more like you have interrupted a thought. Set in the intimate Royal Library Garden behind the old Royal Danish Library, the statue occupies a quiet corner of central Copenhagen where the city’s noise softens into birdsong and the splash of a nearby fountain. The sculpture stands on a granite pedestal surrounded by clipped lawns, trees and low hedges. From here you can glimpse the dark brick of the library buildings and, beyond the garden walls, hints of Christiansborg’s towers. It is a modest setting for a thinker whose ideas about anxiety, faith and individuality helped shape modern philosophy.Louis Hasselriis and a long journey to bronze
The statue was unveiled in 1918, but its story begins earlier with a smaller plaster statuette by Danish sculptor Louis Hasselriis. That original study later inspired the enlarged version you see today in the garden. The casting captures the artist’s slightly informal vision of Kierkegaard: not a triumphant hero, but an intense, almost withdrawn observer, caught mid-reflection. Hasselriis’ model has had a life of its own, moving through collections before finding a home in academic settings devoted to theology and philosophy. The garden statue, however, remains the most accessible expression of the work, exposed year-round to Copenhagen’s sea air, rain and low northern light, which lend the bronze its green patina and gently worn surfaces.The philosopher behind the likeness
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813–1855) was a Danish theologian, philosopher, poet and social critic, widely regarded as a pioneer of existentialist thought. His writings wrestle with faith, doubt, choice and the individual’s responsibility before God and society. Walking around the statue, you can imagine those pages taking shape in the small notebooks and folded papers suggested in his hands and on his lap. There is a quiet irony in finding this restless critic of complacent religion and bourgeois comfort sitting peacefully in a manicured garden at the heart of the historical power district. Yet the location suits him: close to archives that preserve his manuscripts and within a stroll of streets and churches that shaped his life, it anchors his abstract ideas in very real cobblestones and brick.A small oasis amid grand institutions
The Royal Library Garden itself is one of central Copenhagen’s most endearing green pockets. Bordered by cultural institutions and historic façades, it offers benches under trees, seasonal flowerbeds and a reflective pool with a central fountain. Office workers, students and visitors drift through at lunchtime, but there is nearly always a corner where you can sit within sight of the statue and read or simply watch the light change. Because the space is compact and enclosed, the statue never feels remote. Children may notice the slightly oversized hands, sketchers often settle on the steps of the pedestal, and anyone with a passing interest in philosophy can enjoy the way the piece invites you to circle and re-approach it from different angles.Experiencing the statue at your own pace
You do not need prior knowledge of Kierkegaard to appreciate this work. For some, it is a photogenic fragment of Copenhagen’s sculptural landscape; for others, a prompt to seek out his books in the library nearby. The garden’s atmosphere encourages unhurried time: a short visit might mean a quick look and a couple of photos, while a longer stay allows you to linger on a bench and let the statue become part of the background to your own thoughts. In any season—crisp winter air, fresh spring leaves, dense summer greenery or autumn colours—the bronze figure offers a steady, recognisable presence. It is a gentle reminder that big ideas often begin in quiet corners, with a person, a pen and a mind at work.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
The Danish Parliament
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Equestrian statue of Christian IX
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Frederik VII
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The Stable Boy's House
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A modest former service house on Frederiksholms Kanal, quietly recalling the working lives behind Copenhagen’s royal stables and the grandeur of nearby Christiansborg.
Holmens Bro
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A modest granite arch in central Copenhagen that quietly connects Slotsholmen’s palaces with the city’s streets, offering classic harbour views and everyday urban life.
Circle Bridge
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A five-masted circle of light and steel where art, everyday crossings and Copenhagen’s maritime history meet above the waters of Christianshavn Canal.
C.F. Tietgens Hus
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A Neoclassical monument to Danish banking heritage and industrial vision, built for one of history's most influential entrepreneurs.
Højbro
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Højbro Plads
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Explore Højbro Plads, a vibrant square in Copenhagen that beautifully blends history, culture, and lively atmosphere, perfect for tourists seeking adventure.
Højbro Pl.
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Maskinrummet is Skagen’s maritime museum and café, featuring historic marine engines, hands-on exhibits, and harbor-side atmosphere in Denmark’s northernmost town.
Vandkunsten Springvand
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Stork Fountain
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Amagertorv
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Copenhagen By Mie & Friends
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Strøget
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Unmissable attractions to see
Garden of the Royal Library
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The War Museum
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Slotsholmen
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A compact canal island where medieval fortresses, royal palaces and modern democracy meet at the very heart of Copenhagen’s harbour.
Danish Jewish Museum
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An intimate museum in a 17th‑century boathouse where Daniel Libeskind’s Mitzvah‑shaped architecture tells 400 years of Danish Jewish history and rescue.
Black Diamond
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Det Kgl. Bibliotek, The Royal Library
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Christian IV's Brewhouse
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A fortress-turned-brewery on Slotsholmen where royal stone giants gather beneath a vast timber roof, blending military history, sculpture and Copenhagen charm.
Frederiksholms Kanal
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Historic canal skirting Slotsholmen where royal power, stately architecture and quiet waterside promenades meet in the very heart of Copenhagen.
Christiansborg Palace
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Stroll along Frederiksholms Kanal, the elegant Copenhagen waterway flanked by historic palaces and vibrant cultural landmarks at the heart of Indre By.
Børsen
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Explore Copenhagen’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not!—an imaginative museum of fascinating oddities, curiosities, and interactive wonders at City Hall Square.
Marmorbroen
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An 18th‑century Rococo bridge that once formed the grand entrance to Christiansborg Palace, Marmorbroen quietly unites royal history, canal views and everyday city life.
Danish Architecture Centre
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Copenhagen’s harbourside hub for design and urban life, where immersive exhibitions, playful workshops and rooftop views reveal how architecture shapes the way we live.
Thorvaldsens Museum
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Denmark’s first public art museum, Thorvaldsens Museum blends neoclassical sculpture, vivid architecture, and tranquil courtyards into one immersive urban sanctuary.
Church of Holmen
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Experience the vibrant blend of history and modernity at Roskilde's central square, Stændertorvet.
Stromma Canal Tours
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Essential places to dine
Kanal-Caféen
0.3 km
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No. 2
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Restaurant 1733
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Marv & Ben
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Inventive New Nordic tasting menus and Danish culinary artistry await in an atmospheric 18th-century townhouse in Copenhagen’s historic Indre By.
Restaurant Karla
0.4 km
Century-old Danish restaurant serving beloved classics and authentic smørrebrød in the heart of Copenhagen, steps from major museums and city attractions.
Restaurant Maven
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Distinctive Scandinavian dining in the soaring nave of a former church, Restaurant Maven offers inventive cuisine and fine wine in Copenhagen's historic Indre By.
Restaurant Puk
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Historic Danish restaurant in Indre By, Copenhagen, serving classic smørrebrød and comfort dishes in a centuries-old setting with authentic local atmosphere.
Restaurant Tight
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Restaurant Noi
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Experience modern Nordic cuisine in a stylish, contemporary setting at Restaurant Noi, a favorite for seasonal dining in the heart of central Copenhagen.
Rio Bravo
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Western‑themed Copenhagen stalwart serving hearty Danish classics and steaks late into the night in a nostalgic saloon setting off City Hall Square.
King Hans Cellar
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Historic vaulted cellars, cutting-edge Nordic cuisine, and centuries-old royal ambiance converge at Copenhagen’s legendary King Hans Cellar fine dining restaurant.
Restaurant Kronborg
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Københavner Cafeen
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Kadeau
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Bornholm’s wild pantry, refined in a serene Christianshavn dining room, where a seasonal New Nordic tasting menu and two-star precision define an intimate evening.
Llama
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Læderstræde
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Audrey Vintage
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Hygge Original
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A cozy Danish design shop on Amagertorv, offering hygge-inspired clothing, textiles and gifts in a calm, Scandinavian setting amid Copenhagen’s busiest streets.
Danish Souvenirs & Luggages
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Central Strøget gift shop combining classic Danish souvenirs with practical luggage and bags, perfectly placed for a quick browse between Old Town sights.
Akimbo
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Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store
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& Other Stories
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Magasin du Nord
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Magnolias
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ILLUM
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Urban Outfitters
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Duck Haven
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Det Gamle Apotek Copenhagen
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Ruby
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K-Bar
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The Bird and The Churchkey
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Godt Øl
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Zefside
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Lord Nelson Bar
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The Dubliner
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The Rooftop Bar
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Compact rooftop oasis atop Hotel Danmark, pairing 360-degree Copenhagen views with cocktails, bubbles and golden-hour sunsets above the city’s historic heart.
The Marble Bar
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The Storm Inn Copenhagen
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Southern Cross Pub
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Aloë Cocktail Bar
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TATA Cocktail Bar
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Centralhjørnet
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not your USUAL wine bar
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
Club Mambo
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Chateau Motel
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Hive
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Lusso
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Miami Bar
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Mirror
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Rumors
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Dorsia
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The Zoo
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La Terraza
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Mini Bar
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Cosy Bar
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G*A*Y Copenhagen Nightclub
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Module
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Arch
1.0 km
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Zen
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Spiritual / Energy Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
