Vandkunsten Fountain

A Square Born from Water and Necessity

Vandkunsten takes its name from the watermill that supplied Copenhagen Castle with fresh water beginning in the 14th century. The mill operated through an ingenious system of hollowed-out wooden pipes that transported water uphill to the royal palace—a remarkable feat of medieval engineering. A mill pond occupied the site where the square now stands, making it a vital infrastructure hub for the growing city. When the water became polluted due to repeated modifications at the castle, the pumping station was abandoned, and the site fell into disuse as a waste dump for many years.

From Marketplace to Cherished Public Space

Under the orders of King Christian V, the neglected site was finally cobbled over and transformed into a fish market around 1684. For generations, the square bustled with vendors and the aroma of fresh catch. The square's resilience became legendary when it miraculously escaped both the devastating Copenhagen Fire of 1728 and the Fire of 1795, which destroyed much of the surrounding medieval city. This survival allowed the square to retain its historic character and the buildings that frame it today.

Architectural Heritage and Protected Treasures

Four buildings on Vandkunsten are listed in Denmark's registry of protected heritage sites, each telling its own story. Building No. 8, constructed in 1750 as a brewery, was converted into a residence for the brewer and his family in the 1810s. The conversion added four Ionic order pilasters to the façade, which remain visible today. Building No. 10 also served as a brewery in its original function. The most striking structure is the large property at the corner of Løngangsstræde, known as Kronborg due to its Historicist design that echoes the famous castle in Helsingør. Built in 1895, Kronborg formerly housed the headquarters of the Danish Teachers' Association. The building at Vandkunsten 1, designed by architect Aage Langeland-Mathiesen and completed in 1910, represents early 20th-century urban design and features one of Copenhagen's oldest street signs embedded in its façade.

The Iconic 1910 Fountain

The centerpiece of the square is the elegant fountain inaugurated on September 15, 1910. Commissioned by the Copenhagen Art Foundation and designed by architect Johannes Magdahl Nielsen, the fountain is a masterwork of commemorative design. Its central stele is crafted from polished red granite with decorative details in bronze and gilded metal. The cylindrical lower section is adorned with fish scales, and water flows from four fish heads—a poetic reference to the square's centuries-long association with the fish market. The hemisphere of polished red granite crowning the structure catches light beautifully throughout the day, making the fountain a focal point for both residents and visitors.

A Living Link to Medieval Copenhagen

Vandkunsten represents a rare continuity in Copenhagen's urban fabric. Located at the intersection of Rådhusstræde and Løngangsstræde in the Old Town, the square has maintained its intimate scale and historic character despite the city's growth around it. The narrow streets and compact buildings create a sheltered microclimate that feels distinctly separate from the busier thoroughfares nearby. The square has also hosted a flea market at various points in its history, continuing its tradition as a gathering place for commerce and community.