Background

Springvandet i Amaliehaven by Arnaldo Pomodoro

A dramatic bronze fountain at the heart of Amaliehaven, where modern sculpture, royal views and harbor breezes meet in a tranquil geometric garden.

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Set at the heart of Copenhagen’s Amaliehaven, the dramatic bronze fountain by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro anchors a formal garden between Amalienborg Palace and the harbor. Jets of water burst from geometric forms, framed by clipped hedges, flower beds, and views towards the Marble Church and the opera house. Open at all hours and free to enjoy, it is a tranquil yet striking spot for a pause, photos, or simply watching the play of light on water.

A brief summary to Springvandet i Amaliehaven af Arnaldo Pomodoro

  • Toldbodgade, Copenhagen, Indre By, DK
  • Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon 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

  • Visit on a clear evening to see the bronze forms glow in warm light and capture striking sightlines between the fountain, Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church.
  • Plan a spring visit if possible, when the Japanese cherry trees around the garden bloom and frame the fountain with soft pink clouds.
  • Bring a book or snack and use the benches near the fountain for a calm break between exploring nearby palaces, churches and waterfront promenades.
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Getting There

  • Public transport from central Copenhagen

    From the central city area, use the M3 or M4 metro to Marmorkirken Station, then walk about 10–15 minutes on level pavements through the Frederiksstaden quarter to Amaliehaven. Metro trains run every few minutes throughout the day, and a single-journey ticket within the city centre typically costs around 20–25 DKK. This route is step-free at station level, though the final walk includes cobblestones near the palace.

  • Harbor bus along the waterfront

    Copenhagen’s harbor buses connect several inner-harbor stops and offer a scenic way to reach the area near Amaliehaven in roughly 10–25 minutes from many central quays, depending on departure point. Standard public transport tickets and city travel cards are valid, with single fares generally around 20–25 DKK. Services run regularly during the day, but evening and weekend frequencies can be lower, so check departure times in advance.

  • Cycling from nearby districts

    Cycling to Amaliehaven from central districts such as Nørreport or Vesterbro usually takes 10–20 minutes using Copenhagen’s dedicated bike lanes. You can rent a city bike or standard bicycle from multiple providers, with typical rental costs from about 100–150 DKK for a full day. The terrain is flat and suitable for most riders, though be prepared for busy cycle traffic during commuter peaks and follow local cycling rules.

  • On foot from the inner city

    If you are already exploring the historic centre, walking to Amaliehaven is straightforward and typically takes 15–25 minutes from major landmarks like City Hall Square or Nyhavn. The route is mostly flat, passing through pedestrian streets and historic squares. Surfaces vary from smooth paving to some uneven cobblestones near the palace, so allow extra time if you prefer a slower pace or are using a stroller.

Springvandet i Amaliehaven af Arnaldo Pomodoro location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
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Discover more about Springvandet i Amaliehaven af Arnaldo Pomodoro

A sculptural fountain between palace and harbor

The central fountain in Amaliehaven is more than a decorative water feature: it is the visual anchor of a meticulously planned garden aligned with Copenhagen’s royal axis. Designed by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro and completed in 1983, the fountain rises from a circular basin where powerful jets of water erupt around sharply carved bronze forms. These abstract elements catch the light, so the scene constantly shifts as clouds move and the sun changes angle. Stand here and you are positioned along the historic line that connects the waterfront, Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church. The fountain’s geometry underlines this sightline, tying together city, water and royalty in a single frame. The sound of the water softens the urban noise, turning the space into an outdoor room at the edge of the harbor.

Arnaldo Pomodoro’s bold bronze language

Arnaldo Pomodoro is known for his fractured, textured bronze sculptures that seem to reveal inner machinery beneath smooth surfaces, and the Amaliehaven fountain carries that same energy. Rather than classical figures or mythological creatures, you see tall, chiselled forms and sun-like discs, their surfaces scored and cut as if they have been opened to expose an inner core. Four large bronze columns stand in the garden around the fountain, echoing the vertical rhythm of the nearby palace facades while asserting their own modern character. At the ends of the park, additional water features shaped like stylized suns send arcs of spray into the air. Together, these pieces create a sculptural sequence that you experience as you move through the garden, with the main fountain as the climax.

A former shipyard transformed into a garden

The site where the fountain now stands was once Larsens Plads, a busy shipyard and quay that played a role in Scandinavian transatlantic travel during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time, industrial use faded, and in the early 1980s the A.P. Møller and Chastine McKinney Møller Foundation funded the transformation of the area into a public garden. Belgian landscape architect Jean Delogne designed Amaliehaven as a compact, rectangular park, protected from wind and traffic by walls and hedges. Within this ordered layout, Pomodoro’s sculptures and fountains bring movement and drama. The result is a carefully choreographed space that speaks to Copenhagen’s maritime past while offering a present-day refuge of greenery and water.

Geometry softened by flowers and cherry trees

Around the fountain, the garden is arranged on two levels, separated by low walls and clipped hedges that emphasise symmetry. Yet the planting softens all of this structure. In spring, Japanese cherry trees bloom in pale pink clouds, framing the view towards the palace and reflecting in the fountain’s basin. In summer, beds of perennials and seasonal flowers add colour against the strict lines of stone and bronze. The contrast between the precise geometry and the organic forms of leaves, blossoms and water jets is central to the garden’s appeal. You can follow straight paths that lead your eye to the fountain, or step aside into quieter corners where benches offer a calmer perspective on the sculptures and the harbor beyond.

Experiencing the fountain through the seasons

The fountain is accessible at all hours, and its character changes with the time of day and season. On bright mornings, the water can sparkle almost blindingly, while sunset light warms the bronze surfaces and turns the harbor sky shades of orange and pink. In light rain, the layered sounds of droplets and jets give the garden an especially intimate feel. Because the park sits between major city landmarks, it often becomes a natural pause on a wider walk through historic Copenhagen. Some visitors linger only long enough for photographs, while others sit by the basin, watching ferries glide past and listening to the steady rhythm of the fountain’s spray. Even brief encounters tend to leave a strong visual impression.

A calm urban stage for quiet moments

Despite its central position, the fountain feels surprisingly sheltered thanks to enclosing walls, hedges and the slightly sunken garden level. This makes it a pleasant place to read, talk or simply observe the interplay of architecture, sculpture and water. Children are often drawn to the jets and moving spray, while architecture and art enthusiasts focus on the alignment with the palace and the sculptural detailing. Here, contemporary art, royal architecture and harbor views come together in one compact scene. The fountain in Amaliehaven distills many elements of Copenhagen’s identity—seafaring history, modern design and thoughtful public space—into a single, memorable setting.

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