# Axeltorv > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Axeltorv > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Axeltorv.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axeltorv > Source revision: 1284910622 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Axeltorv** is a public square in central [Copenhagen](/source/Copenhagen), [Denmark](/source/Denmark), located across the street from [Tivoli Gardens](/source/Tivoli_Gardens)' main entrance on [Vesterbrogade](/source/Vesterbrogade). ## History Axeltorv was inaugurated on 8 November 1917.[1] The grounds were formerly part of [Farigmagsvej](/source/Vester,_N%C3%B8rre_and_%C3%98ster_Farimagsgade) and used as a plaza in front of the main entrance to Copenhagen's [second Central Station](/source/Copenhagen_Central_Station) which had been built in 1864. The site had for decades been dominated by [National Scala](/source/National_Scala), an entertainment venue situated on the eastern corner of the street. On the opposite corner was a small round pavilion, Centralpavilionen, which sold lottery tickets. The square was established when the street was moved to its current location in connection with the opening of the [Boulevard Line](/source/Boulevardbanen). It takes its name after Bishop [Absalon](/source/Absalon), Copenhagen's founder, whose (little used) Danish name was Axel. ## Notable buildings and residents [Axelborg](/source/Axelborg) was completed in 1920. Originally a bank headquarters, it now houses the Danish Agriculture and Food Council. The [Circus Building](/source/Circus_Building,_Copenhagen) is from 1886. The [Palads Cinema](/source/Palads_Teatret) opened in the former central station in 1912 but its current building is from 1917. The former [Copenhagen Waterworks](/source/Copenhagen_Waterworks), built on a site between the Boulevard Line and [Studiestræde](/source/Studiestr%C3%A6de), though barely visible from the square, also has its address on Axeltorv (No. 12).[2] ## The Scala Project The Scala Building was demolished in 2012. An office complex designed by [Lundgaard & Tranberg](/source/Lundgaard_%26_Tranberg) consisting of five cylinders of varying height and interconnected by skyways, positioned on a one-storey [plinth](/source/Pedestal), now stands on the site. The project has also proposed a renovation of the square that will enhance [Fortification Ring](/source/Fortification_Ring,_Copenhagen)'s character of being a "[green belt](/source/Green_belt)"surrounding the city centre. [3] ## Sculptures A 12.5 metre long water basin with nine bronze [amphoras](/source/Amphora) was installed in the square in 1991. It was designed by Mogens Møller in collaboration with the architect Mogens Breyen and is called Zodiac.[4] [Robert Jacobsen](/source/Robert_Jacobsen)'s sculpture *De Syv Aksler* (1984) was installed in front of the Palads Cinema in 1987. It commemorates the [escape of Jews from Denmark](/source/Rescue_of_the_Danish_Jews) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II).[5] It consists of seven abstract iron sculptures on a star-shaped, cobbled plinth.[6] [Kai Nielsen](/source/Kai_Nielsen_(sculptor))'s sculpture of *Ursus and the Bull* was positioned on the roof of the Palads Cinema in 1917 but was not gilded until 1949.[7] ## References 1. ["1917"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160126040936/http://www.kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/khsd/1900/1917.html) (in Danish). Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from [the original](http://kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/khsd/1900/1917.html) on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2014-01-04. 1. ["Sag: Københavns Vandværk"](https://www.kulturarv.dk/fbb/sagvis.pub?sag=55733626) (in Danish). Kulturstyrelsen. Retrieved 2014-01-04. 1. ["Nyt Scala-hus skal genoplive Axeltorv"](http://politiken.dk/ibyen/nyheder/gadeplan/ECE1506562/nyt-scala-hus-skal-genoplive-axeltorv/) (in Danish). Politiken. Retrieved 2014-01-04. 1. ["Zodiac"](http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_monumenter/index.asp?lang=dk&mode=detalje&id=311) (in Danish). Københavns Kommune. Retrieved 2014-01-04. 1. ["De Syv Aksler"](http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_monumenter/index.asp?lang=dk&mode=detalje&id=299) (in Danish). Københavns Kommune. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 1. ["Robert Jacobsens frihedsmonument på Axeltorv"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140105220754/http://www.kunstpaastedet.dk/view/objects/asitem/Objects%4011186/0/kunstnerSort-asc?t%3Astate%3Aflow=d47032d3-dd7f-4e22-8018-c01ffd42df04) (in Danish). Statens Kunstfond. Archived from [the original](http://www.kunstpaastedet.dk/view/objects/asitem/Objects@11186/0/kunstnerSort-asc?t:state:flow=d47032d3-dd7f-4e22-8018-c01ffd42df04) on 2014-01-05. Retrieved 2014-01-04. 1. Thomas Hauerslev. ["Palads Teatret, København"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212044/http://www.biografmuseet.dk/biografer/k/kobenhavn/p/palads_teatret/index.htm) (in Danish). biografmuseet.dk. Archived from [the original](http://www.biografmuseet.dk/biografer/k/kobenhavn/p/palads_teatret/index.htm) on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 28 December 2013. ## External links - [Source](http://www.copenhagenet.dk/cph-map/cph-axeltorv.asp) - [Source](http://www.coneliand.dk/Danmarks%20aeldste%20forretninger/DAEF100-199/Side%20175%20De%20forenede%20vagtselskaber.html) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Axeltorv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axeltorv) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axeltorv?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.