Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge) – Copenhagen, Denmark - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge)

Copenhagen, Denmark

This bridge's unique architecture honors nautical heritage and encourages self-awareness.  

View all photos
Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge) Susanne Nilsson / CC BY-SA 2.0
Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge) Susanne Nilsson / CC BY-SA 2.0
Havfrue "Mermaid " in foreground SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
Taken from Canal Cruise SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
Taken from Canal Cruise SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
445
509
Top Places in Copenhagen
"Pusher Street" in 2007, after eviction of the hash stands. A "no photo sign" remains. The hash stands have since returned. (Wikimedia Commons)
Freetown Christiania
Copenhagen, Denmark
Superkilen
Copenhagen, Denmark
Elephant Gate
Copenhagen, Denmark
 See All

In Copenhagen, ranked as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, a unique bike and pedestrian bridge opened in 2015: Cirkelbroen. The unique structure was designed by acclaimed, conceptual Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

From a distance, Cirkelbroen resembles sailing ships docked side by side—an intentional nod to the maritime past of the area. The bridge also has a zigzag-like path, which Eliasson hopes makes passersby slow down a bit for some self-awareness.

Cirkelbroen is 130 feet (40 meters) long, made of steel, and consists of five interlinked platforms, each with its own mast held up by metal wires. 

Since the headroom under the bridge is only about 7.4 feet (2.25 meters), the central part of the structure swings open horizontally when larger boats need to pass through.

Around 5,000 cyclists, joggers, and walkers use the bridge daily to cross the mouth of the Christianshavn’s Canal.

Know Before You Go

The nearest metro station is Christianshavn. From there, you can reach Cirkelbroen by foot in about eight minutes.

canals urban planning engineering bridges architecture
Community Contributors
Johan SWE
Added by
Johan SWE
SEANETTA
Edited by
SEANETTA
Published
August 1, 2022
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
'Havfrue' ('Mermaid')
0.07 miles
Folketingssalen Frieze
0.29 miles
Laksegade
0.38 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Copenhagen, Denmark

'Havfrue' ('Mermaid')

Copenhagen's "other" little mermaid marks the historic location of past sea maid sightings.
"Not every rooster crowing announces new day."
Copenhagen, Denmark

Folketingssalen Frieze

An "evil painter" included pointed symbols in this artwork to poke fun at members of the Danish Parliament.
Picture of modern-day Laksegade.
Copenhagen, Denmark

Laksegade

This ordinary street was made infamous by a legendary visit from the devil.
Copenhagen, Denmark

Viksø Helmets

Discovered in a peat bog, these horned helms come from a thousand years before the Viking Age.
Related Places
Southern side of the Seventh Street Improvement Arches.
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Seventh Street Improvement Arches

This double-arched masonry highway bridge is the only structure of its kind in Minnesota.
Vauxhall bridge "Architechture"
London, England

Vauxhall Bridge's Miniature St. Paul's Cathedral

A tiny replica of the iconic London landmark hides on the side of the steel structure.
The High Bridge and Glory Hole.
Lincoln, England

High Bridge

The oldest of the three remaining bridges in England with buildings on top of them.
Puente de Occidente (Bridge of the West).
Olaya, Colombia

Puente de Occidente (Bridge of the West)

What was once the longest suspension bridge in Latin America was directly inspired by the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
Appears in 1 List
Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge)
List

Our Favorite Wonders and Blunders of Urban Planning

Not all things go according to plan, for better or worse.
Jonathan Carey September 16, 2022
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web