Absalon Statue at Højbro Plads
The statue of Absalon was erected on Højbro Plads in 1902 and symbolically the monument faces Christiansborg Castle and The Danish Parliament, where Bishop Absalon (1128-1201), built his castle on a little island called “Slotsholmen” near the city harbour around 1167, where he also founded the city of Copenhagen. The task to build a city on the east coast of Zealand and to protect trade on the Sound (Øresund), was given to him by King Valdemar I. (1131-1182 – ruled 1158-1182)

Absalon was the archbishop of Roskilde and Lund in Sweden, plus the founder of Copenhagen. The city Called “Havn” was given to him by King Valdemar I, to protect the trade on the Sound against hostile merchants.

The ruin of Absalons Castle was discovered during the excavation of the present Christiansborg Palace in 1907. The ruins and brick work can be seen under the palaces foundations.

Bishop Absalons Castle
Bishop Absalons Castle survived for over 200 years until it was occupied and plundered by the North German traders, called the Hanseatic League in 1369, who then demolish the castle stone by stone, as it had for years been a irritating bastions for their trade on the Sound. The ruins of Absalons castle was discovered in 1917 under the excavation of the present Christiansborg Palace and can bee seen beneath the foundations.

Absalons reputation
Bishop Absalon (1128-1201), was a remarkable person of the middle age, with great influence on Copenhagen’s history, life and trade, plus a significant character and reputation as churchman, statesman and commander.

Archbishop of Roskilde and Lund
As archbishop of Roskilde, which was the capital of Denmark in the 12th century, Bishop Absalon became the adviser of King Valdemar I, when the King ascended the Danish throne and Absalon was elected bishop of Roskilde in 1158. Later in 1178 Absalon became archbishop of Lund, a province in Sweden near Malmø.

Sorø monastery is founded by Absalons parents in 1160 and is located beside Sorø Academy, the oldest school in Denmark and built together with the monastery. After 40 years of work the monastery was finally completed.

Bishop Absalon died in 1201 at the family’s Cistercian monastery of Sorø and is buried behind the High Altar. In 1536 a new monument of stone replaced the first one carved in wood.

Sorø Monastery and Absalons burial plot
Bishop Absalon died in 1201 and is buried behind the High Altar in the old monastery at Sorø founded by his parents. He donated all of his belongings to the monastery and property to his twin brother Esben Snare - who was the master builder of the only five tower church in Denmark (Church of Our Lady) in Kalundborg from around 1170 – located on the north east coast of Sealand.

Absalons bishop ring In 1536 Absalons grave was opened for the first time - by the presence of King Christian III (1503-1559 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1534-1559) – and on Absalons right hand the Archaeologists found his holy bishop ring. The ring of gold and a blue sapphire is exhibited at the National Museum in Copenhagen. At the same time during the opening ceremony of his grave in 1536, a new monument of stone replaced the first one carved in wood. Absalons grave has been opened three times – the last time in 1947. Interested visitors can see Absalons grave behind the High Altar in the old monastery at Sorø – 1 hour by train from the Central Station in Copenhagen (80 km) – and also see his ring displayed at the National Museum in Copenhagen.

Absalons bishop ring is displayed at the National Museum

Højbro Plads (High Bridge Square)
Højbro Plads was established after the great fires of Copenhagen in 1795 as a firebreak, where former buildings – many in Renaissance style - were razed by the fires and then rebuilt in neoclassical architecture by prominent landowners around the new square. The square is named after the first Højbro (High Bridge) that Bishop Absalon built in 1167 to connect his castle on the small isle to the mainland and city. Since, several bridges have replaced Absalons Højbro - and the present one is located opposite his statue and over “Slotsholms-canal”.

Since its establishment, Højbro Plads was turned into a central marketplace with moveable carts and stalls selling all sorts of goods and groceries in open air, which was typical for retailing and trading in the 1800s.

Højbro Plads in 1882 with the busy market place in the centre. The second Christiansborg Palace is on the right, before it burnt down to the ground in 1884. Beside the Palace is Christiansborg Chapel. Absalons statue was not erected before 1902.

Fisher women selling seafood at the canal in 1883, beside the old "Højbro" drawbridge. The second Christiansborg Palace is on the right and The Stock Exchange at the back. The fishing boats have tied up along the quay after their daily catch.

Gammel Strand and the fisherwomen
Alongside Højbro Plads and Gammel Strand, the small fishing boats landed their daily catch, where the loud-mouthed fisherwomen sold their ration of different types of fish (mostly herring) winter and summer, which was a charming scene and amusing element for Copenhageners and visitors. The fish market continued right up to the late 1950s. The marketplace at Højbro Plads was a fundamental feature of the town, as the development of trade was a major factor in urbanization.

Absalon is facing Christiansborg Palace at Højbro Plads. The statue was raised in 1902 and created by sculptor Vilhelm Bissen (1836-1913) in bronze and the plinth is made of granite, with an engraved belt praising Absalon as a mighty brave warrior.

Absalon Location Højbro Plads is located beside Amagertorv and the pedestrian street “Strøget”. Nearby is the Round Tower, Nikolaj Church, Christiansborg Palace, Thorvaldsens Museum, the Old Stock Exchange and Holmens Church. Busses: - 15 - 26 - 29 - 40 - 1A - 2A and 650E. Trains: All trains to the Central Station - Metro to Kongens Nytorv.