Gedde's maps of Copenhagen

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Frederiksstaden seen on Gedde's map of Sankt Annae Oster Kvarter Excerpt from St Annae Oster Kvarter 1757 by Gedde.jpg
Frederiksstaden seen on Gedde's map of Sankt Annæ Øster Kvarter

Gedde's maps of Copenhagen refers to a set of maps created by Christian Gedde in the 1750s, consisting of 12 sectional maps showing the official districts of Copenhagen, Denmark as well as a general bird's-eye view map in isometric perspective toward the southwest showing the whole city.

Contents

The original title of the work was Charta over den kongelige Residencestad Kiöbenhavn med dens omkringliggende Egne (English: Map of the Royal Residence City Copenhagen and its surrounding Meadows). It is an important source of information about mid 18th-century Copenhagen. A printed version was first published in 2002 and Copenhagen City Archives launched a website with a digitalized version in 2011.

History

One third of Copenhagen was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1728. In the 1740s, Sibrandt led the work with production of new local maps which registered land use and ownership. They were used for taxation purposes and organization of local militias, which played an important role in the defense of the city. [1]

In the 1750s, Frederick V decided to publish a comprehensive map of Copenhagen. The city's Magistrate was put in charge of the project and called on the services of Samuel Christoph Gedde, head of the engineering corps (Fortifikationsetaten). [1]

Samuel Christoph Gedde assigned the task to his son, Christian Gedde, who was an officer in the engineering troops. He embarked on the work in 1757 and had completed his updates of the 12 district maps in late 1758.

The district maps formed the basis for the overview map which according to specific orders from the King was to be in the same style as Louis Bretez's Turgot map of Paris which had been published in 1739.An aim of the map was to show that Copenhagen had risen from the ashes after the Fire of 1728 and to promote the city as an important regional centre, worthy of the absolute monarch. Christian Gedde completed the elevated map in 1761. From 1771, it hung in City Hall on Gammeltorv. It was rescued from the flames during the Copenhagen Fire of 1795 and later moved to the new city hall on Nytorv. It is now kept in the Copenhagen City Archives. [1]

Description

General map

The general map measures 2.5 times 2.5 metres and at a scale of approximately 1:2,600 covers an area of approximately 50 square kilometres. It shows Copenhagen from the south-southeast. The map was originally in red, green, blue and yellow. The colours have disappeared over time but traces of them remain.

District maps

Christianshavn Quarter

Christian Gedde - Christianshavns Kvarter I.jpg
Christianshavn Quarter
Christian Gedde - Christianshavns Kvarter II.jpg
Christianshavn Quarter

East Quarter

Christian Gedde - Oster Kvarter.jpg
East Quarter
Christian Geddee - Oster Kvarter II.jpg
East Quarter

Frimand's Quarter

Christian Gedde - Frimands Kvarter.jpg
Frimand's Quarter

Klædebo Quarter

Christian Gedde - Rosenborg Kvarter.jpg
Klædebo Quarter

Købmager Quarter

Christian Gedde - Kobmager Kvarter.jpg
Købmager Quarter

North Quarter

Christian Gedde - Norre Kvarter.jpg
North Quarter

Rosenborg Quarter

Christian Gedde - Rosenborg Kvarter.jpg
Rosenborg Quarter

St. Ann's East Quarter

Christian Gedde - Sankt Annae Oster Kvarter 1757.jpg
St. Ann's East Quarter
Christian Gedde - Sankt Annae Oster Kvarter II.jpg
St. Ann's East Quarter

St. Ann's West Quarter

Christian Gedde - Sankt Annae Vester Kvarter I.jpg
St. Ann's West Quarter
Christian Gedde - Sankt Annae Vester Kvarter II.jpg
St. Ann's West Quarter

Snaren's Quarter

Christian Gedde - Snarens Kvarter.jpg
Snaren's Quarter

Strand Quarter

Christian Gedde - Strand Kvarter.jpg
Strand Quarter

West Quarter

Christian Fedde - Vester Kvarter.jpg
West Quarter
Christian Gedde - Vester Kvarter II.jpg
West Quarter

Publication

The General map was not intended for publication at the time since it depicted Copenhagen's fortifications in detail and thus knowledge information that could be exploited by a possible enemy. The intention was to publish an edited version, cleansed of military sensitive details, but this version was never produced.

The Bergia Foundation published the first printed version of the map in 2002.

In 2011, Copenhagen City Archives launched a website with a digitalized version of Gedde's maps to mark the 250 years anniversary of his elevated map of Copenhagen. The digital map had been produced in connection with the Bergia Foundation's 2002 publication. [2]

Related Research Articles

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Johan Conrad Ernst

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Sankt Annæ Plads

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Toldbodgade

Toldbodgade is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It extends north from Nyhavn at the Nyhavn Bridge, continuing Holberggade, passes Sankt Annæ Plads after just one block, and continues straight until it reaches West India Warehouse where it makes a sharp left turn which connects it to Amaliegade, its parallel street, at the rear of the Design Museum.

Garrison Church, Copenhagen Church in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Garrison Church is a church at Sankt Annæ Plads in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Baroque church was erected as a church primarily intended for military personnel stationed in the city.

Trinitatis Church Church in Copenhagen, Denmark

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Lindencrone Mansion

The Lindencrone Mansion is a historic building located on the corner of Bredgade and Sankt Annæ Plads in central Copenhagen, Denmark. Completed in 1753, it is one of many town mansions which were built for wealthy citizens in the district Frederiksstaden in the years after its foundation in the middle of the 18th century.

Sankt Annæ Gade

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New Copenhagen 17th-century expansion of Copenhagen, Denmark

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Nørregade

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Sankt Annæ Plads 1–3

The Sankt Annæ Plads 1–3, also known as the Fibiger House, is a Late Neoclassical property at Sankt Annæ Plads in Copenhagen, Denmark. Built in 1849, it originally contained high-end apartments for well-to-do members of the bourgeoisie but was converted into office space in the second half of the 20th century. It was listed by the Danish Heritage Agency in the Danish national registry of protected buildings and in 1932. Danmarks Skibskredit A/S is now based in the building.

Peter Christoph Hagemann, often referred to as P. C. Hagemann was a Neoclassical Danish architect who worked in Copenhagen.

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Gernersgade

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Amaliegade 4

Amaliegade 4 is a historic property located in the Frederiksstaden Quarter of central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built for sugar manufacturer Christian Rønnenkamp in 1829 and was listed on the Danish Registry of Protected Buildings and Places in 1950.

Sankt Annæ Plads 11

Sankt Annæ Plads 11 is a Neoclassical property located on the north side of Sankt Annæ Plads in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in 1801 to design by city architect Jørgen Henrich Rawert and was listed on the Danish Registry of Protected Buildings and Places in 1918. Bruun & Stengade, a fashion brand, is based on the third floor.

Sankt Annæ Plads 9 Listed building in Cpenhagen

Sankt Annæ Plads 9 is a mid 18th-century property situated on the north side of Sankt Annæ Plads, opposite the Garrison Church, in the periphery of the Frederiksstaden district of central Copenhagen, Denmark. Constructed in 1750 according to designs by Nicolai Eigtved, then with apartments for members of the upper middle-class, it was from around 1810 until 1839 used as the last home of Garnisons Workhouse and Girls' School. In 1840, it was again adapted for use as a high-end apartment building by Thomas Blom. The building was listed in the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1932. Notable former residents include the composer Johan Christian Gebauer, lawyer and politician Christian Albrecht Bluhme, professor of medicine C.E. Fenger and the former politician and swindler Peter Adler Alberti.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About Christian Gedde's maps". Copenhagen City Archives. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  2. "About this website". Copenhagen City Archives. Retrieved 2013-10-11.