Hauser Plads

Last updated
Hauser Plads Hauser Plads (Kobenhavn).JPG
Hauser Plads

Hauser Plads is a public square in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is separated from the larger, more well-known square Kultorvet by the former Copenhagen Central Library Building. A landscaped playground and Copenhagen Municipality's underground Cleaning Facilities Centre occupies most of the site since a renovation in 2011..

Contents

Hauser Plads was created as a result of the British bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807, which resulted in large damages on the city centre. The site was then for many years used for handling and storage of timber in connection with the rebuilding of the city. It was not laid out as an official square until the 1840s, making Hauser Plads the youngest public square in the Old Town of Copenhagen.

History

Before the British bombardment of 1796

The area where Hauser Plads is located as seen on Gedde's district mak from 1757 For Hauser Plads (Gedde).jpg
The area where Hauser Plads is located as seen on Gedde's district mak from 1757

St. Gertrud's Cemetery was located at the site in the 16th century but the area was later built over. [1] Bolle Luddorph owned a property at the site. The street Pustervig was then a cul-de-sac.

The area was destroyed in the Copenhagen Fire of 1795. It had largely been rebuilt just five to 10 years later. It was just a few years later again destroyed in the British bombardment of the city in 1807. A workhouse operated by the city's Poor Authority (Fattigvæsnet) had until then been located on the site but it burned during the attack.

Creating the square, 18191830

Hauser Plads seen on a detail of a cadestralm ap of Rosenborg Quarterm 1841. Hauser Plads amp detail (1841).jpg
Hauser Plads seen on a detail of a cadestralm ap of Rosenborg Quarterm 1841.

In 1809, Conrad Caspar Hauser purchased some of the empty lots in the area. He was originally from Basel but had moved to Copenhagen after marrying the sister of the Danish ambassador to Algeria. [2] The area where Hauser Plads is now located remained empty and was used for handling and storage of timber by the many craftsmen who worked on rebuilding the surrounding neighbourhood. [3] Hauser's own house was completed in 1811.

Ferdinand Richardt: Hauser Plads, 1849 Hauser Plads , 1849.jpg
Ferdinand Richardt: Hauser Plads, 1849

It was first proposed to establish a proper square at the site in 1818, mainly to release the pressure on Kultorvet, the city's coal market, which became very busy on market days. City architect Peder Malling created a plan for the area. Hauser proposed that a fountain be included in the plans, an idea which was supported by the fire brigade. City architect Peder Malling made a design proposal for the fountain, featuring a lion's head, but it was never built and it would take until 1939 before the square was completed.

Hauser Plads in 1884, painting by Rasmus Christiansen Rasmus Christiansen - Hauser Plads.jpg
Hauser Plads in 1884, painting by Rasmus Christiansen

The square was formally called Suhrs Plads after the historian Peter Frederik Suhm who had lived at the site until his death in 1798 but this name never gained popularity. The square was instead colloquially known as Hausers Pladsand this name was used when the first street signs was installed. [2]

20th and 21st centuries

Hauser Plads in the 1910s The buildings that disappeared when the Central Library was built Hauser Plads 7-11 (cropped).jpg
Hauser Plads in the 1910s The buildings that disappeared when the Central Library was built

In the 1950s, the buildings on the west side were demolished to make way for the new Central Library. The buildings that disappeared were a house row from the 1830s. The new building was completed in 1957 to designs by. [4]

The square was renovated in 2011 as part of a project which also included Købmagergade and kultorvet. The design competition was won by Danish architectural firm Polyform in collaboration with Dutch Karres en Brands.

Current square

Hauser Plads with Hausergade (right) and the Library Building in the background Hauser Plads - Playground.jpg
Hauser Plads with Hausergade (right) and the Library Building in the background

The project converted an underground parking facility into a new home for the City's Cleaning Facility Center (Center for Renhold). The premises open to a sunken central courtyard with an amoebic shape that optimize the influx of natural daylight. Facilities include offices, canteen, showers, changing rooms and parking spaces. The courtyard is surrounded by a landscaped playground. [5]

Notable buildings and residents

Namesake Conrad Caspar Hauser's house from 1811 is located at No. 32. He also constructed a warehouse which is located to the rear. The façade on Hauser Plads was altered in about 1870. The buildings were listed together with the neighbouring buildings at No. 28 and No. 30 in 1929/1945. [6]

The only building that dates from the time before the bombardment in 1807 is No. 24, on the corner of Åbenrå, which dates from 1730. [7] The buildings at No. 1018 and No. 26 all date from the 1820s or 1830s and are listed. [8] Restaurant Schønnemann at No. 16 has existed since 1870 and is one of the oldest smørrebrød restaurants in the city. [9]

The beverage company State Drinks is based at No. 10.

In culture

Hauser Plads is mentioned several times in Søren Kierkegaard's Stages on Life's Way . In Section 3, the narrator explains that he used to visit Hauser Plads every Wednesday at 4 am.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiolstræde</span>

Fiolstræde is a pedestrianised shopping street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It passes the square Frue Plads on its way from Nørreport station in the north to Skindergade in the south where Jorcks Passage connects it to the shopping street Strøget. Copenhagen Cathedral is located on the street which also passes the rear side of Copenhagen University Library.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nørre Voldgade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Nørre Voldgade is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs north-east from Jarmers Plads for approximately 600 metres to Gothersgade where it turns into Øster Voldgade. The succession of Nørre Voldgade, Øster Voldgade and Vester Voldgade together forms a traffic artery which arches around the Zealand side of the central and oldest part of Copenhagen. Nørreport Station, Denmark's busiest railway station, is located in the street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toldbodgade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianshavns Torv</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Christianshavns Torv is the central public square of the Christianshavn neighborhood in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is situated at the intersection of Torvegade and Christianshavn Canal, roughly at the center of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kultorvet</span> Square in Copenhagen, Denmark

Kultorvet is a public square in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with Købmagergade and the southern part of Frederiksborggade, it forms a pedestrian zone between Nørreport station and Amagertorv on Strøget. The square is lined with cafés and shops and is a popular venue for outdoor concerts in the summer time. Copenhagen Central Library was from the 1950s based on the square but has now relocated to a building in Krystalgade. Its old building has now been taken over by Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nørregade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Nørregade is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark, linking Gammeltorv in the south with Nørre Voldgade in the north. Landmarks in the street include Church of Our Lady, Bispegården, St. Peter's Church and Folketeatret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sankt Peders Stræde</span>

Sankt Peder Stræde is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Nørregade to Jarmers Plads, crossing Larsbjørnsstræde, Teglgårdsstræde and Larslejsstræde on the way. The eponymous St. Peter's Church is located at the beginning of the street, on the corner with Nørregade. Most of its other buildings date from the years after the Copenhagen Fire of 1795. Part of Copenhagen's Latin Quarter, the street is home to several well-known restaurants and shops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelgade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Adelgade is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Gothersgade in the south to Sankt Pauls Plads with St. Paul's Church in the north. The first half of the street is dominated by modern buildings while its last section passes through the Nyboder district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strædet</span>

Strædet is the colloquial name of a popular shopping and café street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark, linking Højbro Plads on Strøget at its eastern end with Regnbuepladsen next to City Hall to the west. The official street names are Læderstræde, Kompagnistræde and Farvergade. The shops along the street are generally smaller and more eclectic than the flagship stores on neighbouring Strøget. It is dominated by art galleries and antique shops. It is known for its rich gay culture with LGBT citizens, shops, bars, restaurants and coffeehouses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikolaj Plads</span> Public square in Copenhagen, Denmark

Nikolaj Plads is a public square located at the foot of the former St Nicolas' Church, just off Strøget, in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. Most of the buildings that line the square date from the rebuilding of the surrounding neighbourhood in the years after the Copenhagen Fire of 1795. The square is a quiet alternative to the much busier squares Amagertorv and Højbro Plads. The former church houses an exhibition space and a restaurant with outdoor service and a small playground is also located at the site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harsdorff House</span> Historic property in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Harsdorff House is a historic property located on Kongens Nytorv in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built by Caspar Frederik Harsdorff in 1780 and was in the same time to serve as inspiration for the many uneducated master builders of the time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was based in the building from 1864 to 1923.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederiksborggade</span>

Frederiksborggade is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Kultorvet square in the southeast to Søtorvet where Queen Louise's Bridge connects it to Nørrebrogade in Nørrebro on the other side of The Lakes. The street is effectively divided in two by Nørreport station on Nørre Voldgade. The short, southern portion, together with Kultorvet and Købmagergade, forms a pedestrian zone between the station and Strøget at Amagertorv. The wider and younger northern portion is open to car traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Åbenrå (street)</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Åbenrå is a street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Landemærket in the southeast to Rosenborggade in the northwest, linking Vognmagergade with Tornebuskgade. The last part of the street passes the rear side of the grounds of the Reformed Church in Gothersgade. The former rectory associated with the church is located at No. 32-36. It is now houses the Danish Association of Architects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suhmsgade</span>

Suhmsgade is a street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Landemærket to Hauser Plads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Admiralgade</span>

Admiralgade is a street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Nikolaj Plads in the north to Holmens Kanal in the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conrad Hauser</span> Swiss-Danish merchant, developer and philanthropist

Conrad Caspar Hauser was a Swiss-Danish merchant, developer and philanthropist. He contributed to the rebuilding of Copenhagen after the British bombardment of the city in 1807, building many of the houses on Hauser Plads which was later named after him. He was director of the Danish Asiatic Company from 1815 to 1824.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hauser Plads 14</span>

Hauser Plads 14 is a Neoclassical property situated at the corner of Hauser Plads and Suhmsgade in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was listed in the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1945. A large studio window in the roof bears testament to the fact that the painter Julius Exner lived and worked in the building from 1874 until 1888.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hauser Plads 12</span> Listed building in Copenhagen

Hauser Plads 12 is a Neoclassical property situated on the south side of Hauser Plads in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was listed in the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1945. Notable former residents include the actor Jørgen Christian Hansen and the film director Carl Theodor Dreyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hauser Plads 24</span> Listed building in Copenhagen

Hauser Plads 24/Pbenrå 23 is an 18th-century building complex occupying an irregular corner site between the square Hauser Plads and the street Åbenrå, north of a short unnamed street section linking the square with the street, in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the only building on the square that dates from the time before the British bombardment in 1807 and the subsequent creation of the square. It was listed in the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1945. Niels Frommelt operated an underground printing workshop in the building during the German occupation of Denmark in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hauser Plads 16</span> Listed building in Copenhagen

Hauser Plads 16 is an 11-bays-wide, mid 19th-century building situated on the east side of Hauser Plads in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. The building was listed in the Danish registry of protected buildings and places in 1945. Notable former residents include writer and educator Harald Valdemar Rasmussen (1821–1891) and painter Julius Exner. Restaurant Schønnemann, one of Copenhagen's oldest traditional lunch restaurants, known for its smørrebrød and large selection of Snaps, has been located in the basement since 1901.

References

  1. "1757" (in Danish). Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from the original on 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  2. 1 2 "Hauser Plads" (in Danish). Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from the original on 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  3. "Hauser Plads set mod Suhmsgade" (in Danish). Københavns Museum. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  4. "Kultorvet 2/Hauser Plads 1/Hausergade 3" (in Danish). indenforvoldene.dk. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  5. "Cleaning Facilities Centre / KBP.EU". ArchDaily. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  6. "Sag: Hauser Plads 28-32" (in Danish). Kulturstyrelsen. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  7. "Hauser Plads 24/Åbenrå 23" (in Danish). indenforvoldene.dk. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  8. "Hauser Plads" (in Danish). indenforvoldene.dk. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  9. "SchønnemannRestaurant" (in Danish). Berlingske. Retrieved 2014-10-06.

55°41′00″N12°34′33″E / 55.6832°N 12.5759°E / 55.6832; 12.5759