Caritas Fountain

The Caritas fountain was once the main source of fresh water for the citizens of Copenhagen, piped from a local lake. Donated by King Christian IV in 1608, the fountain was moved from its original site and is now purely decorative. Its prominent position in historic Gammeltorv is a perfect spot to take time out from shopping, working or sightseeing to soak up the atmosphere of one of the city’s loveliest squares.

Caritasbrønden – also known as the Caritas Well – rises high above street level, decorated with striking bronze figures around a copper basin. The figures depict the virtue of charity – caritas in Latin – from which the fountain gets its name. The central stone column is crowned by a statue of a pregnant mother and her two children, spouting jets from various intriguing parts of their anatomy. The fountain is said to bring good luck, and many people toss a few coins into the water on the offchance of a change in fortune.

Gammeltorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen, located along Strøget, the city’s famous pedestrianised shopping street. The neoclassical buildings surrounding the square date mainly from the late 18th century, when much of the city was rebuilt following a devastating fire. Look out for the footprint of the old city hall marked out in pale paving stones. Formerly the site of the meat market, today the square is a lively meeting place, with street entertainers and musicians competing for the attention of passers-by and food stalls offering everything from morning coffee to late-night hot dogs (pølser).

Take a seat on the base of the Caritas fountain and watch the world go by in the shadow of one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks. Public transport stops nearby, but the most direct way to reach the fountain is on foot along Strøget, the main retail artery of the city. There is limited street parking on the south side of the square but traffic in the city centre can be heavy.