Nytorv, Square in Copenhagen, Denmark
Nytorv is a public square in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, adjacent to Gammeltorv and separated by the pedestrian street Strøget. The square is paved with cobblestones and features a central raised area with a stone marker, surrounded by historic buildings including the Copenhagen Court House on its southern side.
Nytorv was established in 1606 by King Christian IV, who ordered the demolition of existing buildings to create a new square behind the city hall. After fires in 1728 and 1795 destroyed the town hall, the current Court House was built on the site between 1805 and 1815, and the square has since served as a public space.
The name Nytorv means 'New Square' in Danish, reflecting its creation as an extension of the older Gammeltorv. Today, the square hosts occasional markets and public events, and its open space is used by locals and visitors as a meeting point and a place to rest during shopping trips along Strøget.
The square is easily reached on foot or by bike, as it lies along the car-free Strøget and near several bus stops. Benches and open space make it a convenient spot to pause while exploring the surrounding streets, and the area is flat and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
In the cobblestone paving, two outlines mark the former locations of the city's pillory and the fourth town hall, which stood here until the fires. A plaque on the wall of Den Danske Bank commemorates the site where philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once lived, though the building no longer exists.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 91,191 contributors worldwide.