Houses on Søtorvet 1-3, nos. 2 and 5, Copenhagen

Facts

Poet's lounge with piano music

By Hanne Fabricius, Cand.phil. arkæolog, ph.d.-stipendiat (13 stories)

Copenhagen's original fortifications were taken out of service in 1870. It was therefore possible to build in the old no-build zone. In 1873-76 two symmetrical palatial properties were built at Søtorvet facing the lakes. The client was a construction company called Det kjøbenhavnske Byggeselskab", an initiative of tycoon C.F. Tietgen. The monumental building complex flanks each side of Frederiksborggade towards Gothersgade and Vendersgade. The buildings form an impressive entrance from Nørrebro to Copenhagen. The entrance itself wasn't finished until 1887, when Vilhelm Dahlerup built Dronning Louise's Bridge. This bridge replaced the old brick Peblinge bridge. "

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Pavement café out of the rain

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Story written by Hanne Fabricius

Time / Periode 1873 1940

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One of the first people to move in to the large new flats was actress Johanne Luise Heiberg. Despite the bad stoves, doors and windows, she loved the view of the lakes. In about 1900, the Café de la Reine – Queen's Café – opened behind the large bay windows on Søtorvet 2. The pavement restaurant was covered – which was unusual back then. It was therefore quickly nicknamed Cafe let it rain". In the 1930s, poets such as Sigfred Pedersen and Otto Gelsted gathered there, jumping on tables to read out their latest poems. Niels Clemmensen sat at the piano and composed music for many of Sigfred Pedersen's poems. The party was over, though, when Germany occupied Denmark in 1940 and the poets' cafe was closed. "