Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen
A thunderous burst of Norse myth on Copenhagen’s harbor edge, where goddess and oxen carve the island of Zealand from spray, stone, and bronze.
Set at the edge of Churchillparken by Copenhagen’s harbor, the Gefion Fountain is a monumental bronze and granite tableau of the Norse goddess Gefion driving four powerful oxen through cascades of water. Designed by sculptor Anders Bundgaard and inaugurated in 1908 as a gift from the Carlsberg Foundation, it dramatizes the legend of how the island of Zealand was plowed from Sweden. Surrounded by lawns, trees and views to Kastellet and St. Alban’s Church, it is both a mythic landmark and a peaceful urban pause.
A brief summary to Gefion Fountain
- Churchillparken, København K, København K, 1263, DK
- +4570222442
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Aim for early morning or late afternoon for gentler light and fewer people; the low sun brings out the textures in the bronze and makes any drifting spray sparkle.
- Walk a full circle around the fountain and change your distance; from below, the oxen feel towering, while from higher paths in Churchillparken you see the whole composition against the harbor.
- Combine your stop with nearby Kastellet and St. Alban’s Church to appreciate how the fountain’s mythic drama contrasts with military earthworks and Gothic architecture.
- In windy weather, expect a fine mist close to the main basin; protect cameras and phones, or step slightly back for drier, wide-angle views.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Metro and short walk
From Kongens Nytorv station in central Copenhagen, take the M3 or M4 metro one stop to Marmorkirken; trains run every few minutes and a single zone ticket costs roughly 20–25 DKK. From Marmorkirken it is about a 15–20 minute level walk through the Frederiksstaden district and along the waterfront to Churchillparken, with paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
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City bus
Several city buses link central Copenhagen with the Kastellet and Østerport area in about 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic, with tickets in the 20–30 DKK range. Alight near Østerport or Esplanaden and walk 10–15 minutes through parkland to the fountain. Buses can be crowded at commuter times but are frequent throughout the day.
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Bicycle
Copenhagen’s dense bike-lane network makes cycling from the inner city to Churchillparken straightforward, typically 10–15 minutes at a relaxed pace. Public bike-share schemes and rental shops offer bicycles from around 125–200 DKK per day. Cycle lanes are mostly flat and separated from traffic, but be mindful of busy junctions near major squares.
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Walking from the historic center
From the heart of old Copenhagen around Amalienborg and Nyhavn, allow 20–30 minutes on foot to reach Churchillparken via broad, mostly flat pavements and harbor promenades. The route passes several major landmarks and is comfortable for most visitors, though those with limited mobility may prefer public transport for part of the journey.
Gefion Fountain 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
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Hot Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Gefion Fountain
Myth carved in bronze and water
The Gefion Fountain is one of Copenhagen’s most theatrical encounters with Norse mythology, a swirling composition of bronze figures rearing out of a granite basin at the edge of Churchillparken. At its center stands Gefion, a goddess associated with plowing and fertility, straining forward as she drives four massive oxen through a tumbling spray of water. Their hooves churn the surface, muscles taut, heads tossed mid-bellow, while sheets of water spill around them to suggest freshly ripped earth and surging sea. This powerful scene illustrates a creation legend: Gefion was promised as much land as she could plow in a single night, so she transformed her four sons into oxen and tore a great chunk of soil from Sweden, dragging it into the sea to form the island of Zealand. The void left behind became a great lake. Standing by the fountain, that story feels vivid and physical, every rivulet of water reinforcing the sense of motion.A gift that reshaped a city corner
Although the myth is ancient, the fountain itself is a product of early 20th‑century civic ambition. Danish sculptor Anders Bundgaard worked on the figures at the turn of the century, and the fountain was finally inaugurated in 1908 as a donation from the Carlsberg Foundation to mark the brewery’s anniversary. It was originally intended for a more formal city-square setting but was ultimately placed here by the Øresund, where the spray and sea breeze amplify its drama. Over time, the fountain has become woven into Copenhagen’s everyday fabric. Renovations at the turn of the 21st century refreshed the bronze and stone so that today the surfaces still catch the light crisply, from dark, sea-sprayed patina on the oxen to the paler granite tiers. The constant cycle of water and restoration echoes the way myths are retold and renewed across generations.Churchillparken’s green amphitheatre
The setting is as important as the sculpture. The basin sits slightly elevated within Churchillparken, with shallow steps and paths that let you circle the monument and view it from changing angles. To one side rise the grassy ramparts and star-shaped earthworks of the Kastellet fortress; to another, the pale stone spire of St. Alban’s Church cuts a vertical line against the sky. Beyond the trees, the harbor flickers with light from passing boats. On calm days, you might hear little more than the fountain’s roar, mingled with distant bells and gulls. On breezier days, a fine mist drifts from the main cascade, catching afternoon sun in brief rainbows. Benches and low walls invite you to linger, watching the rhythm of water and people flowing around this open-air stage.Details that reward a closer look
Up close, the storytelling lies in the small decisions carved into metal and stone. The oxen’s flanks are scored with veins and sinew, their tails whipping back in arcs that echo the water. Gefion’s cloak seems to snap in an imagined wind, adding to the sense that the entire group is surging forward out of the basin. Around the lower levels, carved ornament and subtle runic-inspired motifs nod to older Nordic art traditions. Because the fountain is accessible all day and night, different times bring different moods. Early morning offers soft side light and relative quiet, perfect for studying the sculptural forms. At midday, the scene is high-energy, the bronzes gleaming and the spray brightest. After dusk, when nearby lamps glow and the water becomes a dark mirror, the myth feels more mysterious, as if Gefion and her oxen were plowing through starlit waves.A crossroads of city life and legend
Many visitors encounter the Gefion Fountain as part of a larger wander along the harbor, moving between the ramparts of Kastellet, the English Gothic silhouette of St. Alban’s Church, and the famous Little Mermaid statue a short stroll away. Yet it stands comfortably on its own as a place to pause and reflect on how a city chooses to tell its origin stories. Here, creation is not a quiet act but a feat of strength and will, dramatized in bronze. Whether you stay for a few minutes or linger with a sketchbook or camera, the fountain offers a layered experience: part open-air sculpture gallery, part urban oasis, part portal into Scandinavian myth. The meeting of water, stone, legend, and everyday life makes this corner of Churchillparken feel both grounded in history and surprisingly alive in the present.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Horn mine
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Our Fallen
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Iver Huitfeldt Memorial
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I am Queen Mary
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Nyholm Central Guardhouse
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Larsens Pl.
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St. Paul's Church
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Hans Christian Andersen plaque
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The Kissing Stairs
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Sankt Annæ Pl.
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Ofelia Plads
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Langelinie
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Unmissable attractions to see
St Alban's Church
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ZinkGlobal by Kim Michael
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Museum of Danish Resistance
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Langelinieparken
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Langelinie Pavillonen
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Kastellet
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Kongeskibet Dannebrog
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The Little Mermaid
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Designmuseum Danmark
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Bredgade Kunsthandel
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Inugsuk
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Amaliegade
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Essential places to dine
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Reffen - Skøjteøen
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La Banchina
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Aoc
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Veve
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Restaurant Rebel
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Restaurant Vita
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Restaurant Koefoed
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Noma
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Den Lille Fede
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Khun Juk
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Skipperkroen
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Cap Horn
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Nyhavns Færgekro
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Alchemist
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Royal Souvenir Shop
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Maritime Antiques &
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The Wilde Shop
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Copenhagenglass
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Zane
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Viking Souvenirs
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Bar Deco
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Trykbar
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Balthazar
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1105
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TATA Cocktail Bar
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The Moose
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Charlie's Bar
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Bo-Bi Bar
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ROOTS Vin Bar & Butik - Østerbro
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Søernes Ølbar
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Fun-filled
- Romantic
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Viewpoints
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Waterfront
- Sunrise Spots
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
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
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
