The old stock exchange building in downtown Copenhagen, one of the city’s oldest structures with an elaborate spire of intertwined dragon tails, partly collapsed in a large fire that started early Tuesday morning. Luckily, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and images and videos on social media showed flames on the roof and dark smoke lingering over the city. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the fire was still burning with pockets of fire in the building.
King Frederik X expressed his sadness over the loss, stating that the building’s famed spire had helped define Copenhagen as a “city of towers.” Over 200 people were involved in fighting the fire, and while it was challenging to work in parts of the building due to its collapsed structure, there was no danger of the fire spreading to other buildings. The authorities stated that it would take days to determine the cause of the fire, which destroyed one of Denmark’s most treasured buildings.
Denmark’s culture minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, described the fire as “dreadful” and noted that the building represented over 400 years of Danish history. Referred to as “Borsen” in Danish, the old stock exchange building was one of the last structures in the Dutch Renaissance style, where trade had been conducted for centuries. Surrounding buildings were evacuated as a safety precaution, and valued historical paintings and artifacts were rushed out of the building after the fire broke out.
The 17th-century old stock exchange building, once the financial center of Denmark, housed several historical paintings and artifacts. City officials managed to save valuable pieces, including Peder Severin Kroyer’s “From Copenhagen Stock Exchange,” a large painting depicting key Danish financial figures. The National Museum sent workers to the building to remove cultural objects and assess damage to others before storing them safely away. Officials expressed sorrow over the loss of the building and its historical significance.
The building, originally constructed under the direction of King Christian IV, was a symbol of the importance of trade and commerce in Denmark. The original structure contained market stalls and was strategically located to allow ships to easily unload their cargo. As fire crews battled the flames, onlookers in the street watched in shock. Celeste Bolvinkil Andersen, one of the witnesses, lamented not having seen the building from the inside before its destruction. Many officials, including members of Parliament, called for the old stock exchange to be rebuilt to its former grandeur, highlighting its importance in Copenhagen’s history and as a symbol of Danish culture.
The fire at the old stock exchange building in Copenhagen represented a significant loss for the city and its historical heritage. The building, with its distinctive spire and centuries-old history, was a cherished landmark. As authorities investigated the cause of the fire and began the process of salvaging cultural artifacts, the community mourned the loss of a symbol of Danish identity and national pride. Calls for the rebuilding of the old stock exchange highlighted the determination to preserve the city’s history and architectural legacy for future generations.
