Nyboder

Facts

A home for navy men

By Jakob Seerup, Museumsinspektør, ph.d., Statens Forsvarshistoriske Museum (9 stories)

Nyboder was established in Copenhagen by King Christian IV in 1631. The distinctive yellow houses and red window shutters were built in several stages until the late 1700s. The Nyboder quarter was built as accommodation for the Navy's permanent craftsmen, sailors and petty officers. The oldest of the houses were single storey, but the majority of those that have survived are the typical two-storey wings. During the age of sail in the 1700s and 1800s, Nyboder had more than 6,000 residents. Nyboder is still owned by the Ministry of Defence and houses military personnel.

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From brawlers to national heroes

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Story written by Jakob Seerup

Time / Periode 1631

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In the age of sail, Nyboder contained a distinct community in an exclusively maritime quarter of Copenhagen. The many thousands of sailors, petty officers and craftsmen set themselves apart from other city-dwellers. The sailors had long hair and bore knives, while other citizens sported wigs and light swords. The sailors were known for getting so drunk that their brawls with soldiers were nothing short of street battles. Their reputation was so poor that in the 1700s they were banned from walking in the city's parks and embankments. Over time, they regained the respect of ordinary citizens and were permitted to return to the city's parks. And after the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 the navy men were nothing less than national heroes.