Copenhagen Court House, Neoclassical courthouse in Nytorv, Denmark
The Copenhagen Court House is a neoclassical judicial building with six massive Ionic columns on its facade and a large connecting arch to the adjacent jailhouse. The structure contains public spaces and various rooms dedicated to court functions.
Construction of this judicial building began in 1803 but was interrupted by the British bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807. After these delays, work resumed and the building has shaped the area since completion.
The inscription above the entrance comes from Valdemar the Victorious' Jutlandic Law of 1241 and relates to the foundations of justice. This historical connection shows how deeply Danish legal tradition is embedded in the building's identity.
The building has a public canteen open to visitors on weekdays between 11:30 and 13:00. Outside these hours, you can view the exterior architecture and plaza without the activity of the working day.
For nearly one hundred years, the building served both as courthouse and jail until Copenhagen received its new city hall. This dual function made it a central hub for the city's judicial and administrative operations in a single structure.
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