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Gefion Fountain
The
imposing Gefion Fountain is placed in a corner of Churchillparken
(Churchill Park) near the Langelinie waterfront and is one of the
largest monuments in Copenhagen. The sculptures
were created by Anders Bundgaard (1864-1937), featuring
a large group of naturalistic strong oxen’s pulling the plough
of legendary Norse goddess Gefion.
Donation by the Carlsberg Foundation
Gefion Fountain was donated by the Carlsberg Foundation as a gift
to the city on the occasion of the Carlsberg brewery’s 50
year anniversary in 1897. The figures
of the fountain was created from 1897-1904 by sculptor
Anders Bundgaard (1864-1937) in rented facilities at the Danish
Cryolite Company - as his own workshop had limited space to fulfil
such a large project. The entire fountain with the basins and sculptors
were completed and revealed in 1908 to the public.
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Sculptor Anders Bundgaard in his workshop working with
the sculptors of the oxen and the Goddess - here masterly
illustrated and painted by Hugo Larsen in 1904. The large
studio was rented on the loft of the Danish Cryolite Company. |
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| The
Gefion Fountain in the 1920s was a great outing place
and a popular sight, and many photographers earned their
living here by immortalizing visitors in a picture beside
the new attraction in Copenhagen. |
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The
Goddess Gefion
The monument of the Gefion fountain illustrated the energetic Norse
Goddess Gefion, who swings her whip over her sons.
At the backs of the oxen water sprays up from behind
the wheels and the plough. The water coming out
of the oxen nostrils emphasises the power and strength the oxen
put into their work.
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entire fountain was renovated in 2000 for more than 20
million DKK and is brought back to its monumental glory
as a well functional attraction. |
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| The
energetic Norse Goddess Gefion, who swings her whip over
her sons that are turned into powerful oxen's, are the
main features of the fountain. |
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The
Goddess created Zealand
The powerful goddess Gefion, who according to the story originated
from Norse mythology, was offered as much land in Sweden as she
was able to plough during one day and one night by the Swedish
King Gylfe. To fulfil this task she turned her four sons
into strong oxen’s. Gefion and the oxen’s did their
job so well that they were able to create Zealand the Island where
Copenhagen is situated. This great work left a huge hole in Sweden,
where Lake Vänern is placed. On a map you
will notice that the outline of Zealand matches
the outline of Lake Vänern.
A miniature Gefion Fountain
An
exact miniature of the Gefion Fountain called “Little
Gefion”, was built by the same creator of the original
Gefion Fountain Sculptor Anders Bundgaard in 1901
as a model. The miniature Gefion Fountain was later erected in front
of Bispebjerg Hospital in 1915
and is still in function.
Gefion
Fountain is a popular tourist attraction and is used as a wishing
well by thousands of visitors every year.
Location
The Gefion Fountain is located beside the Old Citadel – English
Church – Resistance Museum – the Little Mermaid –
Langelinie Quay and few blocks away from Amalienborg Palace.
The
Gefion Fountain
Address
Churchillparken
Langelinie
1263 Copenhagen K
Busses:
1A
Trains - Østerport Station
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