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Absalon

Absalon is an equestrian monument to Bishop Absalon, a statesman, church leader, and military figure who founded Copenhagen. The statue was installed in 1902 in a square near St. Nicholas Church to mark the 700th anniversary of the legendary founder’s death. It depicts Absalon as a military commander on a rearing horse. He wears chain mail and a helmet and holds an axe in his right hand. The statue faces Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen, where Absalon’s castle once stood, while turning his head to the right toward Copenhagen City Hall. The statue is the work of a sculptor, and the pedestal was created by Martin Nyrop.

Absalon Monument, a green equestrian statue on a stone pedestal with a tall spire in the background.
The Absalon Monument stands against a cloudy sky, with a tall green spire rising behind it in Copenhagen.
May 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Absalon Monument, a green-patinaed equestrian statue on a brick and stone pedestal with buildings and trees behind it.
The Absalon Monument stands on a richly carved pedestal, with the statue shown against nearby buildings and trees.
September 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Absalon Monument, a bronze equestrian statue of a helmeted figure on a rearing horse, stands before a building with a Danish flag.
The Absalon Monument in Copenhagen shows a bronze equestrian figure on a rearing horse, set against a building with a Danish flag.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Absalon Monument silhouetted at night with illuminated buildings in the background.
The Absalon Monument stands in Copenhagen at night, with the city skyline lit behind it.
February 2021 © · CC BY 2.0
Absalon Monument in a busy public square, showing an equestrian statue on a tall pedestal with buildings and people around it.
The Absalon Monument stands in a lively square with people, carts, and historic buildings nearby.
1926 © Robert Pantzsch · Public domain

Identification

Depicted subjectBishop Absalon
TitleAbsalon
TypeEquestrian statue

Historical context

Commemoration700th anniversary of the death of Bishop Absalon
Subject significanceLegendary founder of Copenhagen

Creator

SculptorVilhelm Bissen
Pedestal designerMartin Nyrop

Discovery and provenance

DonorAxel Heide, managing director of Privatbanken, gave the statue to the City of Copenhagen
Intended unveiling date21 March, Absalon's birthday

History and restoration

Reason unveiling was postponedThe City Council reserved 21 March for the unveiling of another Absalon statue above the main entrance of the new city hall
Unveiling date30 November 1902
Unveiling speaker issueGeorg Brandes was originally requested to speak, but his liberal views were considered too controversial; the Bishop of Zealand was also proposed and rejected as a compromise, and Heide finally canceled Brandes after Crown Princess Louise threatened to close her accounts at Privatbanken

Appearance

Attribute heldAxe in his right hand
OrientationFaces Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen and turns his head to the right toward Copenhagen City Hall
PoseMounted on a rearing horse
ClothingMail armor and helmet
Depicted roleMilitary commander

Location and ownership

Current locationHøjbro Plads, Copenhagen
Orientation referenceChristiansborg Palace stands on the site where Absalon's bishop's castle once stood

Physical characteristics

Pedestal lower partGranite seating base
Pedestal upper partRed brick
Pedestal decorationA frieze with a school of fish and wavy lines, Viking ornamentation, and a coat of arms with a rosy cross and two intersecting Keys of Heaven
InscriptionFront: "1128 ABSALON 1201"; three other sides: "Han var modig, snild og fremsynet / en ynder af lærdom / med ren vilje Danmarks trofaste søn"
Inscription layoutThe inscription begins on the right-hand side and continues around the three other sides

Iconography and meaning

Frieze symbolismRepresents the Øresund and the herring fishery that contributed significantly to the wealth of the small fishing hamlet in Absalon's day
Emblem meaningA reference to Absalon's status as Bishop of Roskilde

Other

Historical figure referenced by datesAbsalon (1128–1201)