Bredgade
Encyclopedia
Bredgade is one of the most prominent streets in Copenhagen
, Denmark
. Running in a straight line from Kongens Nytorv
for just under one kilometre to the intersection of Esplanaden
and Grønningen, it is one of the major streets in Frederiksstaden
, a Rococo district laid out in the middle of the 18th century to commemorate the tercentenary of the House of Oldenburg
's ascension to the Danish throne. It is lined with a number of fine mansions as well as other historic buildings. Many law firm
s, trade union
s, fashion stores and art galleries are based in the street.
meets Kongens Nytorv
today), a fact reflected in the street's name (Broad Street). The street was mainly lined by large gardens with small houses and pavilions.
When the course of the Eastern Rampart was changed over the first century, the whole area, now known as New Copenhagen, was incorporated into the fortified city. At that point Bredgade was renamed Norgesgade (English: Norway Street) to commemorate the King's possessions to the north and escape the rural connotations of the old name.
With the planning of Frederiksstaden
around 1750, Bredgade saw a major building boom which included the construction of many fine mansions such as the Berckentinian Mansion, the Dehn Mansion and the Bernstorff Mansion. When Esplanaden was laid out at its far end in the 1780s, Bredgade's position as one of the most prominent streets of the city was consolidated even further.
The name Norgesgade never gained popularity and in 1877 the street's official name was finally changed back to Bredgade.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Running in a straight line from Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv is a public square in Copenhagen, Denmark, centrally located at the end of the pedestrian street Strøget. The finest and largest square of the city, it was laid out by Christian V in 1670 in connection with a major extension of the fortified city, and has an equestrian statue of...
for just under one kilometre to the intersection of Esplanaden
Esplanaden, Copenhagen
Esplanaden is a boulevard in Copenhagen, Denmark.It extends eastwards from Store Kongensgade and runs along the south side of the city's 17th century citadel Kastellet and Churchillparken until it reaches the waterfront just south of Langelinie, passing Amaliegade, Bredgade and Grønningen on the...
and Grønningen, it is one of the major streets in Frederiksstaden
Frederiksstaden
Frederiksstaden is a district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Constructed during the reign of Frederick V in the second half of the 18th century and it is considered to be one of the most important rococo complexes in Europe....
, a Rococo district laid out in the middle of the 18th century to commemorate the tercentenary of the House of Oldenburg
House of Oldenburg
The House of Oldenburg is a North German dynasty and one of Europe's most influential Royal Houses with branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Russia, Greece, Norway, Schleswig, Holstein, Oldenburg and Sweden...
's ascension to the Danish throne. It is lined with a number of fine mansions as well as other historic buildings. Many law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
s, trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s, fashion stores and art galleries are based in the street.
History
In Medieval times, Bredgade was little more than a track used for driving cattle in and out of the city, but by the end of the 16th century it had developed into the broadest road outside the Eastern City Gate (which at the time was located where StrøgetStrøget
Strøget is a carfree zone in Copenhagen, Denmark. This popular tourist attraction in the centre of town is the longest pedestrian shopping area in Europe....
meets Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv is a public square in Copenhagen, Denmark, centrally located at the end of the pedestrian street Strøget. The finest and largest square of the city, it was laid out by Christian V in 1670 in connection with a major extension of the fortified city, and has an equestrian statue of...
today), a fact reflected in the street's name (Broad Street). The street was mainly lined by large gardens with small houses and pavilions.
When the course of the Eastern Rampart was changed over the first century, the whole area, now known as New Copenhagen, was incorporated into the fortified city. At that point Bredgade was renamed Norgesgade (English: Norway Street) to commemorate the King's possessions to the north and escape the rural connotations of the old name.
With the planning of Frederiksstaden
Frederiksstaden
Frederiksstaden is a district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Constructed during the reign of Frederick V in the second half of the 18th century and it is considered to be one of the most important rococo complexes in Europe....
around 1750, Bredgade saw a major building boom which included the construction of many fine mansions such as the Berckentinian Mansion, the Dehn Mansion and the Bernstorff Mansion. When Esplanaden was laid out at its far end in the 1780s, Bredgade's position as one of the most prominent streets of the city was consolidated even further.
The name Norgesgade never gained popularity and in 1877 the street's official name was finally changed back to Bredgade.
Notable buildings and features
- Sankt Annæ PladsSankt Annæ PladsSankt Annæ Plads is a public square which marks the border between the Nyhavn area and the Frederiksstaden district in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a long narrow rectangle which extends inland from the waterfront, at a point just north of the Royal Danish Playhouse at the base of the Kvæsthusbroen...
with the Garrison Church - Moltke's MansionMoltke's MansionThe Moltke's Mansion is a town mansion on the corner of Bredgade and Dronningens Tværgade in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of several town mansions in Frederiksstaden, although it actually predates the neighbourhood by half a century...
- Dehn's Mansion
- Amalienborg axusFrederiksgadeFrederiksgade is a street in the Frederiksstaden neighbourhood of central Copenhagen. It runs east from Store Kongensgade to Tolbodgade on the waterfront, passing the Marble Church, Bredgade and Amaliegade on the way...
with views along FrederiksgadeFrederiksgadeFrederiksgade is a street in the Frederiksstaden neighbourhood of central Copenhagen. It runs east from Store Kongensgade to Tolbodgade on the waterfront, passing the Marble Church, Bredgade and Amaliegade on the way...
to the Marble Church on one side and Amalienborg PalaceAmalienborg PalaceAmalienborg Palace is the winter home of the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four identical classicizing palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard ; in the centre of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg's...
to the other - Bernstorff's Mansion
- Eastern High Court
- Alexander Nevsky ChurchAlexander Nevsky Church, CopenhagenThe Alexander Nevsky Church is the only Russian Orthodox church in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built by the Russian Government between 1881 and 1883, prompted by Princess Dagmar of Denmark's marriage to Alexander Alexandrovich on 9 November 1866 and their later ascent to the Russian throne as Tsar...
- Odd Fellow MansionOdd Fellows Mansion, CopenhagenThe Odd Fellows Mansion is a Rococo town mansion in Copenhagen, Denmark, named after the local branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows which acquired the building in 1900...
- St. Ansgar's CathedralSt. Ansgar's CathedralSaint Ansgar's Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen, which encompasses all of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland.-History:...
- Frederik's HospitalFrederiks HospitalThe royal Frederiks Hospital was Denmark's first hospital in the present-day meaning of the word. It was founded by king Frederik V and financed by the earnings from the Norwegian Postal Service....
, now the Danish Museum of Art & Design