{"id":2698,"date":"2016-07-11T11:00:49","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T15:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2698"},"modified":"2016-07-11T11:00:49","modified_gmt":"2016-07-11T15:00:49","slug":"rundetaarn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2698","title":{"rendered":"Rundetaarn"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

There are quite a few ways to\u00a0check\u00a0out the city of Copenhagen from a higher altitude.<\/p>\n

Airplane?<\/p>\n

Let’s go lower.<\/p>\n

Hot air balloon?<\/p>\n

Probably, but it might prove to be quite expensive.<\/p>\n

Towers?<\/p>\n

Yes! \u00a0There are some beautiful towers right within the city that make viewing easy and inexpensive…the Marble Church Tower, Christiansborg Tower, the Spiral Tower of the Church of Our Saviour, to name a few.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>Another tower,\u00a0Rundetaarn, one of the many architectural projects of Christian IV was built as an astronomical observatory during the 17th century. \u00a0Today, the Round Tower serves as an observation tower for expansive views over the city, a public astronomical observatory and a historical monument.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>The cylindrical tower, built from alternating yellow and red slender bricks, is most known for its equestrian staircase, a winding\u00a0corridor which wraps itself seven and a half\u00a0times around the hollow core, leading to the top. \u00a0The lack of stairs helped in the transport of fragile and heavy astronomical equipment to the top of the tower. \u00a0When the size of instruments proved to be much too large, as they improved\u00a0over time, and the Ostervold Observatory was built, the Round Tower became outdated in the early 19th century. \u00a0The unusual internal structure, however, inspired something extremely unique…racing.<\/p>\n

The first bicycle race held in the tower took place around 1888. \u00a0In 1911, a bicycle race down the tower was arranged by the local newspaper.\u00a0 Other races followed, culminating\u00a0in a world record in 1988 set by Thomas Olsen during a\u00a0unicycle race. \u00a0Currently, every spring, a unicycle race is still held in the Rundetaarn.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Other forms of transportation have also ascended this cylindrical tower. \u00a0Peter the Great, Czar\u00a0of Russia, rode to the top of the tower on horseback in 1726 with his wife following in a carriage and in 1902, the first motorized car, a Beaufort, navigated the winding corridor to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>
Bell Loft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the tower is attached to the Trinitatis Church, it has never served as a church tower, and the bells of Trinity Church hang in the Bell Loft which can be seen about halfway through your climb to the the top of the tower. \u00a0After your visit to the tower, you can walk through the Trinity Church, which was built in 1656, as a church for professors and students of the University.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>
Trinity Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When you reach the observation deck, located about 114 feet above ground level, the old city of Copenhagen with its many spires and rooftops spreads out 360 degrees before you. \u00a0On a clear day, Sweden and the Oresund Bridge, which links the two countries, can be seen in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While traversing the\u00a0observation deck, take note of the wrought-iron lattice made in 1643 by Kasper Fincke who was a court artist in metalwork. \u00a0Christian IV’s monogram and the letters RFP are integrated\u00a0into the latticework, representing the King’s motto,\u00a0Regna Firmat Pietas (<\/em>Piety strengthens the Realms).<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>The observatory is a small domed building, built on the roof of the tower, reaching a height of 21 feet and a diameter of 18 feet. \u00a0Built in 1929, it is still in use by amateur astronomers and the general public and is accessed by a narrow winding stone staircase from the observation deck.<\/p>\n

Due to varied opening times throughout the year, I was unable to visit the observatory, although a few tour groups were witnessed being led through the space.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I made my way down to the street level…around and around…I pondered the history of this seasoned tower. \u00a0Certainly, not one of the most impressive views in Copenhagen, it is worth visiting for its uniqueness and if you are able to visit the observatory. \u00a0In a city where most things are quite expensive, in a bid to occupy an hour or so, it is worth the small\u00a0admission fee.<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

Rundetaarn (The Round Tower)<\/strong><\/p>\n