Nytorv

From Marketplace to Modern Square

Nytorv was established by Christian IV in 1610 when he cleared an area behind the existing City Hall as part of his Renaissance-style renovation of the building. The square quickly became a thriving marketplace, distinct from its neighboring Gammeltorv on the opposite side of the City Hall. While Gammeltorv served as the primary sales venue, Nytorv functioned as the working heart of the market—it was here that butchers conducted their trade and where the darker side of medieval justice played out, with execution facilities dominating the square's grim landscape. The 18th-century writer Ludvig Holberg, who lived on the border between the two squares from 1728 to 1740, captured the contrasting character of these adjoining spaces in his observations. Gammeltorv represented refinement and culture, while Nytorv embodied the raw, practical necessities of urban life. This duality defined the square's identity for centuries.

Architectural Transformation and the Court House

The most significant transformation came in the early 19th century with the construction of a grand new building designed by Christian Frederik Hansen, the leading Danish architect of his era. Completed in 1815, this Neoclassical structure served dual purposes as both City Hall and courthouse, establishing the architectural identity that dominates the square today. The building's imposing façade, featuring ionic order columns, occupies most of the western side of Nytorv. Connected to the courthouse was a jailhouse, linked by a distinctive skyway that earned the nickname "Bridge of Sighs" due to its use in transporting prisoners between the two buildings. The architectural ensemble reflected Copenhagen's ambitions as a modern European capital, with Hansen's design drawing inspiration from contemporary civic buildings across the continent. The courthouse remained the City Hall until 1905, after which it continued its judicial functions exclusively.

The Evolution of Public Space

During the first half of the 20th century, Nytorv underwent a gradual transformation as traditional market activities faded and automobile traffic increasingly dominated the square. This period marked a shift from Nytorv's role as a working marketplace to something more ambiguous—neither fully public nor fully functional. The turning point came in 1962 with the establishment of the Strøget pedestrian zone, which unified Nytorv and Gammeltorv into a single continuous public space and reclaimed the area from vehicular traffic. The 1993 refurbishment, overseen by city architect Otto Käszner, brought further renewal and symbolic restoration. An octagonal podium was constructed at the exact location where the execution scaffold once stood, serving as both seating and occasionally as a bandstand. The footprint of the former City Hall was marked in the paving with paler stone, creating a subtle historical map embedded in the square itself.

Nytorv Today

Today Nytorv stands as a lively and integral part of Copenhagen's historic core, seamlessly integrated into the pedestrian Strøget shopping street. The square hosts cultural events throughout the year, most notably during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, when the octagonal podium transforms into a performance stage. The surrounding architecture tells multiple stories—the imposing Court House anchors the western side, while the skyway connecting it to the former jailhouse remains a distinctive architectural feature. The square's character blends historical significance with contemporary vitality. Visitors encounter layers of Copenhagen's past at every turn: the medieval marketplace heritage, the Neoclassical civic pride, the 19th-century justice system, and the modern pedestrian-focused urban design. The paving stones themselves serve as a historical document, marking where previous structures once stood and inviting reflection on the square's transformation from execution ground to cultural gathering place.