# Gammel Strand

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Square in Copenhagen

For the metro station, see [Gammel Strand Station](/source/Gammel_Strand_Station).

Gammel Strand Interactive map of Gammel Strand Length 164 m (538 ft) Location Indre By, Copenhagen, Denmark Postal code 1200 Nearest metro station Gammel Strand Coordinates 55°40′39″N 12°34′41.16″E / 55.67750°N 12.5781000°E / 55.67750; 12.5781000

**Gammel Strand** (modern [Danish](/source/Danish_language) for "old beach"; originally meant "the old shoreline", i.e. prior to land reclamations) is a street and [public square](/source/Public_square) in [central](/source/Indre_By) [Copenhagen](/source/Copenhagen), [Denmark](/source/Denmark). On the south side it borders on the narrow [Slotsholmens Canal](/source/Slotsholmen) while the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century. Across the canal, [Thorvaldsens Museum](/source/Thorvaldsens_Museum) and [Christiansborg Palace](/source/Christiansborg_Palace) are seen on the island [Slotsholmen](/source/Slotsholmen).

The art gallery [Kunstforeningen](/source/Kunstforeningen) and the [Ministry of Culture](/source/Ministry_of_Culture_of_Denmark) are the most notable institutions facing the street.

## History

### Copenhagen's cradle

The [16th century](/source/16th_century) shoreline at Gammel Strand as reconstructed in the miniature town of [Museum of Copenhagen](/source/Museum_of_Copenhagen).

Gammel Strand used to be the site of a [natural harbour](/source/Harbor#Natural_harbors), sheltered by a few small islets later to develop into [Slotsholmen](/source/Slotsholmen). It was around this harbour that Copenhagen was founded as a small fishing and trading settlement in the 11th century. However, archeological finds of ship parts and railings under several of the buildings at Gammel Strand indicate that the coast line at that time was located considerably further inland than the present canal.[1] The area was marshy and boats were initially merely pulled up on the beach.[1] Recent archaeological discoveries during work on the [Copenhagen Metro](/source/Copenhagen_Metro) have revealed traces of [jetties](/source/Jetty) at Gammel Strand, which date back to around the year 700.[2] Later [land reclamations](/source/Land_reclamation) moved the coastline forward and a proper harbour developed.[3]

### The fish market

Skovser women, c. 1800

Later Gammel Strand became the site of a fish market, known for the women who would sit in the square at all seasons to sell their fish. It was also known as Skovserkoner (English: Skovser women) because they would buy their fish in the small fishing village [Skovshoved](/source/Skovshoved) north of Copenhagen and walk the long way to Gammel Strand to sell them in the market.[3] They were recognized by their characteristic white scarves.[4]

### Destroyed by fire

Gammel Strand on fire

Most of the buildings along Gammel Strand were completedly destroyed in the [Copenhagen Fire of 1795](/source/Copenhagen_Fire_of_1795). It began in a coal and timber storage at [Gammelholm](/source/Gammelholm), and spread to the area around [St. Nicolas' Church](/source/St._Nicolas'_Church%2C_Copenhagen) before moving along Gammel Strand to the area around [Gammeltorv](/source/Gammeltorv) and [Nytorv](/source/Nytorv). In the following years the houses were rebuilt.

### Later developments

In the [post-war years](/source/Post-war_years) space for the market became too scarce, and in 1958 a new fish market opened in the [South Harbour](/source/Kongens_Enghave).[4] In 1991, the parking lots which took up the square were abandoned and the square was paved with granite stones. It has since been home to several small flea markets.[5]

## Buildings

Most of the houses have been rebuilt and extended with an extra story over the years and exhibit a multitude of different styles. In spite of this the overall impression is very harmonic, and Gammel Strand is now considered one of the most iconic urban spaces in Copenhagen.

The oldest house in the street is No. 48. Built in 1750 to the design of [Philip de Lange](/source/Philip_de_Lange), it survived the fire of 1795 without severe damage. In 1796 it was extended with an extra story. Today it houses the Kunstforeningen art gallery.

		- No. 48: [Kunstforeningen](/source/Kunstforeningen)

		- Gammel Strand seen from [Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads](/source/Bertel_Thorvaldsens_Plads)

		- View along Gammel Strand

		- Gammel Strand

## See also

- [Ved Stranden](/source/Ved_Stranden)

- [Fishwife (statue)](/source/Fishwife_(statue))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cphmuseum_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cphmuseum_1-1) ["Gammel Strand"](https://cphmuseum.kk.dk/om-museet/historier-fra-koebenhavn/bygningshistorie/gammel-strand) (in Danish). [Museum of Copenhagen](/source/Museum_of_Copenhagen). Retrieved 9 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["København er langt ældre end vi troede"](http://avisen.dk/koebenhavn-er-langt-aeldre-end-vi-troede_63229.aspx). *avisen.dk*. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kulturministeriet_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kulturministeriet_3-1) ["Gammel Strand - København"](http://www.bymuseum.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=515). Københavns Bymuseum. Retrieved 2009-11-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DSD_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DSD_4-1) ["Gammel Strand"](http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_historie/K%C3%B8benhavns_historie/Gammel_Strand). Gyldendal. Retrieved 2010-02-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Gammel Strand"](https://www.indenforvoldene.dk/gammel-strand). *indenforvoldene.dk* (in Danish). Retrieved 9 February 2026.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Gammel Strand](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gammel_Strand).

- [Gammel Strand](http://www.indenforvoldene.dk/gammel%20strand.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131113080936/http://www.indenforvoldene.dk/gammel%20strand.html) 2013-11-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) on indenforvoldene.dk

- [Nybrogade census](https://www.danishfamilysearch.dk/sogn2090/gader/gader11736/gm211543)

v t e City centre, Copenhagen Neighbourhoods Christianshavn Frederiksstaden Gammelholm Holmen Latin Quarter New Copenhagen Nørrevold Slotsholmen Localities Larsens Plads KU City Campus Nordre Toldbod Nyboder Nyhavn Streets and squares Amagertorv Amaliegade Bispetorv Borgergade Bredgade Dronningens Tværgade Esplanaden Farimagsgade Fiolstræde Frederiksholms Kanal Frederiksgade Gammel Mønt Gammel Strand Gothersgade H. C. Andersens Boulevard Havnegade Højbro Plads Holmens Kanal Israels Plads Købmagergade Kronprinsessegade Krystalgade Kultorvet Nansensgade Nørre Voldgade Nørregade Ny Kongensgade Øster Voldgade Sankt Annæ Plads Skindergade Søgade Sølvgade Store Kannikestræde Store Kongensgade Store Strandstræde Strøget Toldbodgade Ved Stranden Vester Voldgade Parks and open spaces Amaliehaven Christianshavn Rampart Copenhagen Botanical Garden Rosenborg Castle Gardens Royal Library Garden Tivoli Gardens Ørstedsparken Østre Anlæg Culture & attractions Danish Museum of Art & Design Danish Jewish Museum Danish War Museum David Collection Hirschsprung Collection Medical Museion National Gallery National Museum Natural History Museum Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Theatre Museum in the Court Theatre|Theatre Museum Thorvaldsen Museum Churches St. Alban's Alexander Nevsky Church St. Andrew's St. Ansgar's Christian's Church Christiansborg Chapel Frederik's Church Garrison Church Holmen Church Holy Ghost Jerusalem Church Our Lady St. Paul's St. Peter's Reformed Church Trinitatis Church Other landmarks Amalienborg The Black Diamond Blue Warehouse Barchmann Mansion Børsen Christian IV's Arsenal Christian IV's Brewhouse Christiansborg Copenhagen City Hall Copenhagen Court House Garrison Hospital Gernersgade Barracks Gustmeyer House Mathias Hansen House Moltke's Mansion Odd Fellows Mansion Østervold Observatory Prince's Mansion Rosenborg Barracks Royal Danish Playhouse Royal Danish Theatre Royal Horse Guards Barracks Round Tower Stærekassen Thott Mansion Sølvgade Barracks West India Warehouse Railway stations Nørreport Østerport Vesterport History Copenhagen Fire of 1728 Copenhagen Fire of 1795 Bastioned Fortification Ring Sophie Amalienborg v t e Christianshavn, Copenhagen Localities Applebys Plads Asiatisk Plads Christiania Christiansbro Christianshavns Vold Grønlandske Handels Plads Holmen Krøyers Plads Refshaleøen Wilders Plads Streets and squares Amagergade Bådsmandsstræde Christianshavns Voldgade Christianshavns Torv Dronningensgade Sankt Annæ Gade Sofiegade Strandgade Torvegade Wildersgade Canals Christianshavns Kanal Stadsgraven Trangraven Wilders Kanal Attractions Danish Architecture Centre Christian's Church Church of Our Saviour Little Mill North Atlantic House Royal Danish Naval Museum Other landmarks Andreas Bjørn House Behagen House Bombebøssen Brøste House Christianshavn School Cort Adeler House Gammel Dok Gerling House Heering House Irgens House Jennow House Jacob Holm House Lehn House Mikkel Vibe House Niels Brock House Overgaden Neden Vandet 15 Overgaden Neden Vandet 19 Overgaden Neden Vandet 31 Overgaden Neden Vandet 33 Overgaden Neden Vandet 39 Overgaden Oven Vandet 8 Overgaden Oven Vandet 22 Overgaden Oven Vandet 24 Overgaden Oven Vandet 50 Overgaden Oven Vandet 52 Overgaden Oven Vandet 54–56 Philip de Lange House Princess Marie's Home for Old Seamen Rhode House Schottmann House Sigvert Grubbe House Snorrebroens Pakhus Søkvæsthuset Steinfass House Stanley House Strandgade 24 Torvegade 22 Torvegade 28 Treschows Stiftelse Wildersgade Barracks History Andreas Bjørn Burmeister & Wain Jacob Holm Women's Prison, Christianshavn

[55°40′39″N 12°34′41″E / 55.6775°N 12.5781°E / 55.6775; 12.5781](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Gammel_Strand&params=55.6775_N_12.5781_E_type:landmark_region:DK)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gammel Strand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gammel_Strand) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gammel_Strand?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.