Søtorvet

Søtorvet is a tree-lined square in central Copenhagen with four symmetrical buildings in historicist style marked by towers and spires. The space sits at the intersection where Frederiksborggade crosses Øster Søgade and Nørre Søgade, creating a unified street space between these routes.

The square emerged after Copenhagen's city fortifications were removed, developed as a residential area between 1873 and 1875 by the Copenhagen Building Company led by Carl Frederik Tietgen. This construction transformed the site from military use to civilian housing following contemporary urban planning ideas.

The four matching buildings with their towers shape how the square looks and feel today. Bronze statues of Tiber and Nile stand in the space, gifts from Carl Jacobsen's foundation that bring classical imagery into this residential district.

The square sits at a major traffic junction where several streets meet and the Queen Louise Bridge leads toward Nørrebro district. The location is easy to reach on foot and offers simple access between the Inner City and Nørrebro neighborhoods.

Café de la Reine opened around 1900 at Søtorvet 2 and became a favorite spot for Danish poets during the 1930s, serving guests outside on the square. The place turned into a meeting point for literary circles and shaped the cultural importance of this location.

Location: Copenhagen Municipality

Inception: 1875

Architects: Ferdinand Vilhelm Jensen

Architectural style: historicist architecture

GPS coordinates: 55.68610,12.56530

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05