University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the first university
in Denmark and founded in 1479 by King
Christian I (1426-1481 – ruled Denmark, Norway
and Sweden from 1448-1481) after the approval of its establishment
by Pope Sixtus IV was granted.
The
University was a centre of Roman Catholic theological learning,
but also has faculties of Law, Medicine and Philosophy. With
its more than 525 years, the University of
Copenhagen is one of the oldest universities
in Northern Europe.
| The
founder of the University of Copenhagen King Christian
I during the inauguration ceremony of the University
in 1479 at Copenhagen's Cathedral. The painting
was created by Wilhelm Marstrand in 1870. |
|
| The
new University buildings in 1860 that was inaugurated
in 1839 under the reign of King Frederik VI, with
his name "Fredericus Sextus" carved on
the entrance. See top photo. |
|
Radical
changes in Governance
As other medieval universities, the University of Copenhagen
was a part of the universal Roman Catholic Church until the
reformation in 1536. The University was re-established
by King Christian III (1609-1670 –
ruled Denmark and Norway 1648-1670) in 1537,
where the position and role of the University in Danish society
meant a radical change. In 1771 the university
lost its own jurisdiction and in the middle of the 20th Century
the so called "professorial power" was
finally abolished during 1960s.
From
the inauguration in 1479 until 2004,
the university was led by a Rector and a Consistory –
but governance of the University changed radically during
2004/2005, where the Consistory was replaced by a Board of
Governors.
| In
front of the University five busts on stands are
placed of former scholars from different faculties
of the University, of which one is The Danish Nobel
Prize award winner in Physics 1922, Niels Bohr. |
|
| Regensen
is the collegium for students at the University
of Copenhagen and is situated beside the Round Tower
from 1642. The dormitory from 1623 was rebuilt after
the heavy fires in 1728. |
|
Fredericus
Sextus
During the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1801
the university's buildings was ruined.
The construction of new buildings started in 1831
and inaugurated in 1836, in the old Latin
quarter of Copenhagen during the reign of King Frederik
VI (1768-1839 – ruled from 1808-1839). The
entrance is carved with his name – Fredericus
Sextus.
The Library
The
library of the University was established in 1482
and was placed closed up to the
main buildings. In 1653 the entire library
was move to the attic of the Trinitatis Church
beside the Round Tower. During the fires of Copenhagen in
1728, nearly all the 30,000 books
were destroyed. The library was slowly re-established and
in 1861 the library moved into new premises
at Fiolstræde. Today the library of the University is
a part of the Royal Library.
| The
Library of the University from 1861 is located right
beside the premises of the campus. |
|
| Interior
of the library from 1861 beside the University.
The library is a part of the Royal Library. |
|
| Prominent
and world famous Danes at The Univercity of Copenhagen
|
|
Søren
A. Kierkegaard
(SAK - 1813-1855)
Søren Kierkegaard Danish philosopher
and defender of religious faith, was born in Copenhagen,
where he also spent all his days.
In 1830, 17 years old, Kierkegaard
entered the University of Copenhagen,
where he studied theology, philosophy, and literature.
He matriculated in theology in 1840,
and in 1841,
he also earned a Master’s degree, which corresponded
then to a doctoral degree.
Søren
Kierkegaard is interpreted as a momentous and leading
figure in contemporary thought as well as a modern existentialist
- humanist and individualist.
At The Museum of Copenhagen one can find
the Søren Kierkegaard Collection,
which is a permanent exhibition of the philosopher.
Søren
Kierkegaard died at the age of 42 and
his funeral was held at The Cathedral of Our Lady with
the following burial at Assistens Cemetery.
In
1994 the Søren Kierkegaard
Research Centre was founded, with the entire
Kierkegaard library.
More
Kierkegaard |
| Søren
Kierkegaard's final resting place at Assistens Cemetery. |
|
N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1873)
The
Danish Priest Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig
is a person of great magnitude and influence in newer
Danish history and was a pastor at The Church of Our Saviour
for four years 1822-1826. Grundtvig entered
the University in 1800 –
17 years old where he studied theology
and literature. He matriculated in theology in 1803
- 20 years old.
Grundtvig was besides being a teacher, author, poet, philosopher,
historian, pastor, hymn writer and even politician - he
also reformed Christianity within the Danish Lutheran
Church and developed The Folk High School
movement and the Grundtvigian movement.
Last but not least, Grundtvig put a clear fingerprint
on developing Denmark into a free and democratic
country and was a warm supporter of women's
rights. During his time at Our Saviour Church
he was given life censorship, on behalf
of his many written theological works, and as a protest
he resigned from all of his duties in 1826.
(This Portal will later portrait N.S.F. Grundtvig in a
more comprehensive and deserving manner). Grundtvig is
buried at Claras Kirkegaard (Claras Church Cemetery) at
estate Gammel Kjøgegaard – 20 km south of
Copenhagen.
More
Grundtvig and
Grundtvig's
Church
|
Painting
of N.S.F Grundtvig from 1843. |
| Grundtvig's
final resting place at Claras Kirkegaard (Claras
Church Cemetery) at estate Gammel Kjøgegaard
- 20 km south of Copenhagen. |
|
Niels
Bohr and Albert Einstein in 1925. |
| Niels
Bohr's grave at Assistens
Cemetery. |
|
Niels Bohr (1885 1962)
The Nobel Prize award winner in Physics
1922, Niels Bohr entered
the University of Copenhagen
1903, where he took his Master's degree in
Physics in 1909 and his Doctor's degree
in 1911. In 1916 he
was appointed Professor of Theoretical Physics
at Copenhagen University, and since 1920
(until his death in 1962) he was the head of the Institute
for Theoretical Physics, established for him at that
university and called
The Niels Bohr Institute
The Niels Bohr Institute is the unification of the four
earlier institutes for the physical sciences at Copenhagen
University: The Astronomic Observatory - The
Ørsted Laboratory - The Geophysical Institute
and The Niels Bohr Institute.
The Institute house 10 research groups
and 12 science centers, of which the
five conduct fundamental research. Scientific research
is conducted in collaboration with many leading international
research groups.
Study and Education
The Niels Bohr Institute educates the students in the
subjects of Physics and Astronomy
and among the areas in the physics study is geophysics
- particle physics - quantum
physics - biophysics and nanotechnology.
The Institute offers students a 3-year bachelor degree
followed by a 2-year graduate degree and a 3-year PhD
study.
Final
resting Place
Niels Bohr died in 1962 and buried at a family
plot at Assistens Cemetery.
|
The
largest educational institution in Denmark
The University of Copenhagen is the largest educational institution
in Denmark and offers several degrees of education in a variety
of subjects, ending with a bachelor degree
or master degree that can be extended with
three more years of postgraduate work leading to a Ph.D.
degree. In 1788 the University had
a teaching staff of around 20 permanent teachers and about 1,000
students. At the beginning of the 21st Century, the University
of Copenhagen had 35,000 students and more
than 7,000 scientific, technical and administrative
employees.
Campuses
The University has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen,
with the oldest located in central Copenhagen.
Location
The University is located in the old Latin Quarters
beside Copenhagen’s Cathedral - Sct.
Petri Church and a few blocks from the Pedestrian
Street "Strøget".
|
The
University of Copenhagen
Address
University
of Copenhagen
Nørregade 10
1017 Copenhagen K
Busses:
5A - 6A - 150S - 350S
Trains - Metro and S-train from Nørreport Station
|
|
|
|
