Rigensgade

Rigensgade
A view down Åbenrå from the northern end of the street
Length418 m (1,371 ft)
LocationIndre By, Copenhagen, Denmark
Postal code1316
Nearest metro stationNørreport (west), Østerport (east)
Coordinates55°41′17.88″N 12°35′0.6″E / 55.6883000°N 12.583500°E / 55.6883000; 12.583500

Rigensgade (lit. 'State Street') is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It links Sølvgade in the west with Øster Voldgade in the east. An underpass for pedestrians link the beginning of the street with Rosenborg Castle Gardens on the other side of Sølvgade. Notable buildings include the former Garrison Hospital. and the Methodist Jerusalem's Church.

History

The Gold House

Rigensgade originates in the 1649 plan for New Copenhagen, the large area which was included in the fortified city when the old East Rampart along present day Gothersgade was decommissioned and a new one was built in a more northerly direction. According to the plan, the streets in the area were to be named after Danish territorial possessions, royalty and the upper classes.[1] The shape of the Nyboder development indicates that the original intention was to create a street parallel to Adelgade and Borgergade at the site.

Rigensgade in c. 1910

At the far end of the street was an open area, Grønland (Greenland), which was used as a military drill ground. It was also known as Rigens Marskalks Plads but by 1679 the name had already passed out of use.[2]

The so-called Gold House, am alchemist laboratory was located at the beginning of the street. It was converted into a military hospital in 1673 and later into a royal textile factory which moved to Usserød in 1815. The site was then taken over by the Garrison Hospital.[3] In 1683, Christian V purchased the buildings and used them as a textile factory.[4]

Notable buildings

Jerusalem's Church

The former Garrison Hospital has been converted into residences for officers of the Royal Danish Army. The 48-bay, Neoclassical building dates from 1760 and an extension in 1779.

No. 36; Caroline Amalies Asyl

No. 13 is part of a complex fronting Øster Voldgade which was originally built for the College of Advanced Technology. It now houses GEUS and Gefion Gymnasium.

Jerusalem's Church is the main church of the Methodist community in Denmark. It first opened in 1866.

H.P. Lorentzens Stiftelse (Np. 30) was built to provide free and affordable housing for widows in difficult circumstances, Caroline Amalies Asyl at No. 36 is also from 1866. It was designed by Henrik Steffens Sibbern.

References

  1. ^ "Borgergade" (in Danish). indenforvoldene.dk. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Nyboder og dets Beboere, især i ældre Tid". eremit.dk. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Nyboder" (in Danish). Clara & Flemming Svendsens Hjemmeside. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  4. ^ "Guldhuset I Rigensgade" (in Danish). dengang.dk. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
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55°41′18″N 12°35′01″E / 55.6883°N 12.5835°E / 55.6883; 12.5835