Copenhagen - Round Tower

(Local Name: Rundetårn) From Nørregade in Copenhagen's Old Town narrow lanes lead into Fiolstræde, a parallel street with many bookshops and antique dealers. In Krystalgade can be seen the Synagogue, built in 1833 in yellow brick. Passing this the visitor will come to Købmagergade, a shopping street, with the Round Tower (Rundetårn), 36m/120ft high and 15m/50ft in diameter, which was built as an observatory in 1642 and now houses a small collection of material connected with the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. The platform, from the top of which there is a magnificent panoramic view of Copenhagen, is reached by a wide spiral ramp. The tower is the one referred to in Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Tinder Box": "eyes as big as the Round Tower...". A tour of the Old Town can continue by way of Skindergade and Kejsergade to Gråbrødretorv, one of Copenhagen's most charming squares with its brightly colored old houses. From here it is a short distance back to Nytorv by way of Strøget.

The Round Tower was briefly used by the astronomer Ole Rømer after his return from France until he decided it was too small for his purposes.