Rundetårn

Rundetårn, or the Round Tower, is a historic tower in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was completed in 1642 as part of the Trinitatis Complex, a project commissioned by King Christian IV to combine a church, a library, and an observatory. The building was designed by the architect Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger, with involvement from his father, and reflects Danish Baroque architectural ideas of the period.

The tower is circular and is best known for its internal spiral ramp, which climbs seven and a half turns to the top. The ramp allows visitors to ascend without stairs and historically accommodated the passage of people and, in earlier times, carriage access for maintenance. At the top, a viewing platform offers a panoramic, 360-degree view over Copenhagen.

Historically, the Round Tower housed an astronomical observatory and served as a center for scholarly activity within the Trinitatis Complex. The complex also includes the Church of the Trinity and a building intended for learning and library use, making the site an early example of a combined religious, educational, and scientific complex in Denmark.

Today, the Round Tower remains a major tourist attraction and cultural landmark. Visitors come to walk the ramp to the top for the city views or to explore the historic interiors and exhibitions related to its scientific and architectural heritage. The site exemplifies 17th-century Danish ambition to promote science, learning, and public access to knowledge.