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Elia: Denmark’s Monumental Sky-Touching Sculpture

Marvel at Elia, Herning’s massive steel landmark—a fusion of art, industry, and nature—where monumental sculpture frames the Danish skies in Birk Centerpark.

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Elia is a towering, modern sculpture designed by Ingvar Cronhammar, dramatically rising from Herning’s Birk Centerpark. Blending engineering with artistry, this landmark is famed for its immense circular dome and four soaring steel pillars. Visitors encounter a site that provokes awe, invites reflection, and offers a unique atmosphere, making it a staple of Denmark’s outdoor art scene.

A brief summary to De Geometriske Haver

  • 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

  • Visit at dusk or dawn to experience Elia’s dramatic silhouette against changing skies.
  • Elia’s fire column erupts unpredictably; linger for a while to increase your chances of seeing it.
  • The sculpture is fully outdoor; dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for the ascent.
  • Combine your visit with other art venues in the Birk district for a thematic exploration of Herning’s cultural side.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Herning’s central square and train station area, Elia in Birk Centerpark is about a 45–60-minute walk. The route leads east through mixed urban and green spaces, passing the university campus zone and Herning’s exhibition centers. The sculpture is visible from a distance as you approach the Birk district.

  • Public Transport

    City buses run from Herning’s main station directly toward the Birk district throughout the day, with a typical ride taking 10–15 minutes and single adult tickets costing around 22 DKK. Alight near the university/art complex; Elia’s striking form is hard to miss from the stop.

  • Taxi

    A taxi ride from Herning's city center to Birk Centerpark is usually 7–12 minutes, depending on traffic, with fares around 90–130 DKK. The sculpture stands prominently within landscaped grounds near the art center.

  • Driving/Parking

    Visitors arriving by car can use the dedicated parking lots in Birk Centerpark, typically free of charge. These fill up on event days, and accessible spots are available nearby. No tolls are required; walking access from parking to Elia is straightforward via open lawns.

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Discover more about De Geometriske Haver

Few works of public art in Europe match the scale and conceptual boldness of Elia, the monumental sculpture standing sentinel in Herning’s Birk Centerpark. Conceived by acclaimed Swedish-Danish artist Ingvar Cronhammar and inaugurated in 2001, Elia extends a dramatic silhouette against the sky, beckoning curious visitors from across the Jutland region and beyond. Its design, a vast steel dome 60 meters across and rising 10 meters high, is encircled by a perfectly balanced berm, creating a space that blurs the lines between the man-made and the elemental. Four slender steel columns, each 32 meters tall, pierce skyward and hint at ancient ceremonial sites while evoking the futuristic. At the heart of Elia is its most surprising element: a concealed gas installation that, at random intervals, launches a pillar of fire up to 8 meters into the air—a visceral reminder of art’s potential to surprise and move. The sculpture is fully open for exploration, and visitors are encouraged to walk its circumference, ascend the dome, and contemplate its meaning. The shifting Danish weather transforms Elia’s mood, from mysterious in the fog to spectacular under a blue sky. Since its unveiling, Elia has become an icon for Herning’s ambitious spirit, embodying the city’s longstanding support of avant-garde art and design. It is recognized both as a work of art and a place of gathering, inviting locals and travelers alike to ponder the interplay of industry, nature, and imagination. There’s no admission charge, so impromptu contemplation is encouraged at any hour. Whether you marvel at the fire burst or bask in the space’s quiet energy, Elia promises an experience that resonates long after you depart.

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