Hans Christian Andersen Statue at City Hall Square

A literary icon in the heart of Copenhagen

Hans Christian Andersen’s bronze likeness sits at the edge of City Hall Square, right where Copenhagen’s civic heart meets its busiest thoroughfares. Here, surrounded by trams of cyclists, buses, and the hum of Rådhuspladsen, the author is captured mid-pause, as if he has looked up from his book to watch the city writing its own stories. This central setting underlines how deeply woven Andersen is into Denmark’s cultural fabric. From his seat, the statue faces H.C. Andersens Boulevard and looks across to Tivoli Gardens, the historic amusement park that has long been linked with the fairytale atmosphere often associated with his work. The pairing of the square, City Hall’s grand facade, and this contemplative figure makes the corner feel like a small open-air tribute to storytelling amid the rush of modern life.

Design details and sculptor’s vision

The statue was created by sculptor Henry Luckow-Nielsen and erected in 1965, more than a century after Andersen first found fame. Cast in bronze, the figure is larger than life, emphasizing his status as a national cultural hero. The writer sits upright yet relaxed, legs slightly apart, one hand resting on his cane while the other holds an open book, suggesting both movement and stillness. His clothing is carefully rendered: the long coat, waistcoat, and unmistakable top hat evoke the 19th century, while the open posture invites visitors to draw close. The smooth surfaces of his knees and coat edges bear witness to countless photographs and playful climbs, signs that this is a monument meant to be encountered rather than kept at a distance.

Fairytales woven into the cityscape

Although this particular monument does not feature decorative reliefs, its power lies in how it connects the physical city with Andersen’s imaginative worlds. The statue’s sightline toward Tivoli Gardens hints at the blend of reality and fantasy that Copenhagen so often embodies: a functioning, modern capital that still allows room for whimsy and wonder. City Hall Square itself is lined with other sculptures and features, from the Dragon Fountain to the Weather Girl, creating an urban open-air gallery in which Andersen feels perfectly at home. Seen from the surrounding pavements, the statue stands out as a human-scale counterpoint to the tall clock tower of City Hall behind it.

Experiencing the statue up close

Meeting Andersen here is as much about the atmosphere as the sculpture. The square is a constant swirl of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, with the start of the Strøget shopping street just steps away. Many visitors choose to sit briefly beside the statue, using his plinth as an impromptu bench, while others take quick photos before heading on to Tivoli or deeper into the old town. Despite the bustle, there are quieter moments—especially in the early morning or late evening—when you can walk around the figure, notice the patina of the bronze, and appreciate the craft of Luckow-Nielsen’s work. The play of light across the metal, from grey northern daylight to the warmer glow of street lamps, subtly changes the statue’s mood throughout the day.

A stop on any Hans Christian Andersen trail

For those following Andersen’s legacy across Denmark, this monument at Rådhuspladsen complements the author’s other statues in Copenhagen and his birthplace city of Odense. Here, however, he is firmly anchored in the capital’s everyday rhythm, watching locals hurry past and visitors pausing with guidebooks and cameras. The location makes it easy to combine a brief visit with other key sights around the square, but even a short stop conveys why Andersen is still considered a cornerstone of Danish identity. In a single glance, you see the storyteller, the civic buildings that frame the nation’s public life, and the amusement park that symbolizes joy and imagination—a compact portrait of Copenhagen itself.

Symbol of a city of stories

Ultimately, the statue functions as both monument and meeting point. Children recognize the creator of tales like The Little Mermaid, adults recall stories from their own childhoods, and many simply enjoy the approachable pose of a writer who seems content to share the square with everyone. In an urban space devoted to gatherings, celebrations, and everyday routines, this calm seated figure offers a quiet reminder that stories are at the heart of how cities remember themselves.