Copenhagen University, Copenhagen

Copenhagen University, Copenhagen

The Latin Quarter is home to Copenhagen's University since the Middle Ages, when Latin used to be the primary language of education. Established in 1479 by a Papal bull, in close location to the Church of Our Lady, it had a predominantly theological focus up until the 18th century when, through various reforms, science and the humanities replaced theology as the main subjects studied and taught. Still, the first female student was enrolled here no sooner than 1877.

A number of prominent scientific theories and schools of thought are namesakes of the institution. The famous Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics was conceived at the Niels Bohr Institute, which is part of the university. Outside the main building, a busts honor Bohr himself, who won the the 1922 Physics Prize for his model of the structure of the atom and, some twenty years later, helped develop the atomic bomb.

If the doors are open, enter a colorful lobby, starring Athena and Apollo. The frescoes celebrate high thinking, with themes such as wisdom's triumph over barbarism. Notice how harmoniously the architecture, sculpture, and painting all combine.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Copenhagen. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Copenhagen University on Map

Sight Name: Copenhagen University
Sight Location: Copenhagen, Denmark (See walking tours in Copenhagen)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark

Create Your Own Walk in Copenhagen

Create Your Own Walk in Copenhagen

Creating your own self-guided walk in Copenhagen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Latin Quarter Walking Tour

Latin Quarter Walking Tour

One of the most interesting, young-spirited neighborhoods of Denmark's capital, the Latin Quarter is well known for its hangout spots, alternative shopping, and 18th-century architecture.

Back in the Middle Ages, the area surrounding Our Lady's Square (“Frue Plads” in Danish), right in the heart of it, was considered a “ray of light” in the overall darkness of those times. A...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Castle Island (Slotsholmen) Walking Tour

Castle Island (Slotsholmen) Walking Tour

Traditionally seen as the birthplace of Copenhagen, Castle Island (Slotsholmen) gave rise to the Danish capital with a small fortress built on it in the 12th century AD. Since the Middle Ages, this area, also known as the "Island of Power," has been the center of Denmark's government. It houses several prominent landmarks that played significant roles in the country's history.
...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Little Mermaid Walking Tour

Little Mermaid Walking Tour

Back in the 18th century, Denmark was in the throes of an economic boom. Constructed during the reign of King Frederick V (hence the name), the district of Frederiksstaden attests to that with its beautiful architecture, measuring up to the projects from the same period in Berlin, Paris, and Vienna. This tour will guide you through the area's broad streets lined by bourgeois houses, mansions,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Copenhagen Introduction Walking Tour

Copenhagen Introduction Walking Tour

A fairy tale of a city, full of peculiarities, Denmark's capital Copenhagen has a fairly straightforward etymology. It derives from Kopmannahafn, which roughly translates to “merchant's harbor”, and reflects the city's origin as a place of commerce by the harbor. Originally a Viking fishing village called Havn (port), established in the 10th century near today's Gammel...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Hans Christian Andersen's Copenhagen

Hans Christian Andersen's Copenhagen

Above the numerous plays, novels, and poems, the 19th-century Danish author Hans Christian Andersen is primarily renowned internationally as the man who wrote "The Little Mermaid," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling" and many other fairy tales we know since childhood.

Born in Odense (central Denmark) a poor shoemaker's son, Andersen spent...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Copenhagen Shopping: 16 Distinctively Denmark Things to Buy

Copenhagen Shopping: 16 Distinctively Denmark Things to Buy

Denmark is renowned for simple, industrial and functional design, as well as bohemian and everyday fashion-wear for the individual urban living. The capital Copenhagen, home to Copenhagen Fashion Week twice a year and biannual INDEX: Design to Improve Life - the world’s biggest design awards, is...