Agnete and the Merman Statue
A submerged family of bronze beneath Højbro Bridge brings an old Danish ballad of love, faith and abandonment to life in the heart of historic Copenhagen.
Half-hidden beneath the surface of Copenhagen’s Slotsholm Canal by Højbro Bridge, Agnete and the Merman is an evocative underwater bronze sculpture group by Suste Bonnén. Created in 1992, it depicts a merman and his seven sons reaching towards the light, forever waiting for Agnete, the human wife and mother who left them in a classic Danish folk ballad. Easy to miss at first glance, it rewards slow looking with a haunting mix of myth, art and urban atmosphere in the heart of historic Copenhagen.
A brief summary to Agnete and the Merman Statue
- Højbro, Copenhagen, Indre By, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 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
- Take your time on Højbro Bridge and look straight down into the Slotsholm Canal; the statues can be hard to spot until the water surface calms.
- If possible, come back after dark when underwater lighting often illuminates the figures, giving the scene a haunting, theatrical quality.
- Read a short version of the Agnete and the Merman ballad beforehand or on your phone to better appreciate the emotional gestures in the sculpture.
- Bring a camera with a zoom lens to capture details like the children’s hands and faces, which are easier to see through the water at an angle.
- Visit in spring or summer for softer light on the canal; in windy conditions, the ripples can obscure the figures for longer stretches.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Metro and walking
From Nørreport Station, take the M3 or M4 metro one stop to Gammel Strand Station, a journey of about 2–3 minutes with frequent departures. From there, walk for roughly 5–10 minutes along the canals through mostly flat, paved streets to reach Højbro Bridge, where the sculpture lies beneath the water. A standard single metro ticket in central Copenhagen typically costs around 20–30 DKK.
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City bus
Several city buses serving central Copenhagen stop near Christiansborg Palace and Højbro Plads, a 5–10 minute walk from the bridge. Travel time from other central districts is usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Buses are low-floor and generally accessible, and a single ticket within the central zones normally ranges from 20–30 DKK.
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Bicycle
Copenhagen’s extensive cycle lanes make it easy to reach Højbro Bridge by bike from most central neighbourhoods in about 10–20 minutes. You can use a personal bicycle or rent one via local bike-share schemes, which typically charge from around 15–30 DKK for a short ride. Be prepared for cobblestones in some stretches and always dismount if the bridge area feels crowded.
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Walking from central Copenhagen
If you are staying in the historic centre, you can walk to Højbro Bridge in roughly 10–20 minutes from many hotels and main shopping streets. The route is flat and follows pedestrian-friendly streets and canal-side promenades, though cobblestones may be challenging for some visitors using wheelchairs or strollers.
Agnete and the Merman Statue location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Agnete and the Merman Statue
A hidden folklore scene beneath Højbro Bridge
Standing on Højbro Bridge, you could almost overlook one of Copenhagen’s most quietly powerful artworks. Just below you, on the floor of the Slotsholm Canal, a bronze merman and his seven sons stand on a submerged platform, their forms wavering through the water. Installed in 1992 by sculptor, photographer and author Suste Bonnén, the group transforms a busy city thoroughfare into a stage for an age‑old story. The figures belong to the Danish ballad "Agnete og Havmanden" – Agnete and the Merman – a tale passed down orally for generations. Here, rather than being placed on a plinth, the sculpture sinks into the canal itself, so that the line between the human world above and the mythical realm below becomes part of the artwork’s meaning.A folk ballad of choice, faith and loss
In the legend, a young woman named Agnete is approached by a merman emerging from the sea. Drawn by impulsive love, she follows him beneath the waves, where they build a life together and have seven sons. For a time, all is well in this underwater home. Then, one day, the sound of distant church bells from the shore reaches Agnete, stirring memories of the world she left behind. She returns to land to visit her old life, promising to come back. Faced with the pull of familiar customs and faith, Agnete ultimately chooses not to descend again. The merman and their children are abandoned below the surface, left to yearn for the mother who never returns, embodying themes of divided loyalty, spiritual conflict and the cost of human choices.Bronze figures shaped by the water itself
Bonnén’s figures are deliberately placed just below the surface, so ripples and reflections distort their outlines. Some of the sons stretch their arms upwards, others cover their faces, while the merman gazes toward the bridge. The canal water becomes an ever‑moving lens, alternately concealing and revealing their anguish as light and weather shift during the day. After dark, underwater lighting often bathes the group in greenish or golden tones, giving the scene an otherworldly glow. Moss, algae and drifting reeds slowly soften the bronze, reinforcing the impression that you are glimpsing a story that has been unfolding for centuries in the depths.Mythic neighbors in Copenhagen’s political heart
The location is no accident. The sculpture lies beside Christiansborg Palace and the historic island of Slotsholmen, at the symbolic centre of Danish political power. This juxtaposition of parliament, palace and underwater folklore hints at how deeply myth and storytelling are woven into national identity. From the bridge you also look out to the spires and façades of Indre By, with boats sliding past just above the statues. Tour vessels frequently glide over the group, their wake briefly blurring the view before the canal settles again and the mer‑family reappears, as if surfacing from another realm.A quiet pause amid the city’s bustle
Visiting Agnete and the Merman is less about ticking off a major sight and more about taking a contemplative pause in the city’s historic core. You may find yourself waiting for the water to still or the light to shift so that a child’s hand, a bowed head or the merman’s outstretched arm suddenly comes into focus. Spring and summer bring longer light and softer reflections on the canal, while crisp winter air and bare trees add a starker, almost monochrome mood to the scene. Whatever the season, this modest artwork invites you to slow your pace, listen to the murmur of traffic and water, and spend a few minutes with a story of love, faith and longing that has drifted through Danish culture for centuries.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Højbro
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Frederik VII
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The Danish Parliament
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Christiansborg Palace
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Thorvaldsens Museum
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Amagertorv
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Strøget
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Essential places to dine
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King Hans Cellar
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Restaurant 1733
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Llama
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Københavner Cafeen
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Restaurant Kronborg
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l’Alsace
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Wining and Dining
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Restaurant Puk
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Kanal-Caféen
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Marchal
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Frank
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Danish Souvenirs
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Danish Souvenirs & Luggages
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Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store
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Hygge Original
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Magnolias
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A compact, upscale secondhand boutique on Købmagergade, Magnolias blends Copenhagen chic with curated pre-loved designer fashion in the city’s historic shopping heart.
ILLUM
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ILLUM is Copenhagen’s iconic department store, combining world-class fashion, Danish design, gourmet food, and rooftop views in historic Indre By.
Urban Outfitters
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Audrey Vintage
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& Other Stories
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Akimbo
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Magasin du Nord
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Norse Store
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Duck Haven
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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The Dubliner
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Lord Nelson Bar
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Ruby
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Godt Øl
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Charlie's Bar
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1105
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Aloë Cocktail Bar
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Balthazar
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Zefside
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The Jane
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Bæst Cocktailbar
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The Moose
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Strøm
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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The Zoo
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Hive
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Mini Bar
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Mirror
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Rumors
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Miami Bar
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Club Mambo
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Dorsia
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La Terraza
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Arch
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Cosy Bar
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Mirage
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G*A*Y Copenhagen Nightclub
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
- Quirky
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Myth & Legends
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Mindfulness
- 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
- Business Friendly
