Nikolaj Kunsthal

About the museum

Sankt Nikolaj Kirke is one of the oldest churches in København; it was built in the early 13th century and named after the patron saint of seafarers. From 1529, Hans Tausen, the "Danish Luther," preached here and held the first service in Danish. In the great city fire of 1795 the church burned out; the congregation was dissolved and only the tower remained standing, later serving as a fire watch and time-ball station, among other things.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the brewer Carl Jacobsen financed a new tower spire, and the architect Hans Christian Amberg rebuilt the nave in red brick in 1915–1917. Instead of a house of worship, the city decided to put the building to cultural use: as a public library, from 1958 to 1978 as a naval museum, and from 1957 as the site of an art library project in which early Fluxus performances took place in 1962.

Since 1981 the building has officially been an art hall, and since 2011 it has been called Nikolaj Kunsthal. The City of København operates the venue, which shows changing exhibitions of mainly Danish but also international contemporary art, complemented by concerts, performances, and talks. Since 2018 the tower with its viewing platform has been open for guided tours; in 2022 a redesigned café with a shop was added, and later a project space for young art and an open creative workshop.

Highlights

• Changing exhibitions of Danish and international contemporary art in a historic church
• Guided tours up the Nikolaj Tårn with views from a height of 35 meters
• The tip of the old tower spire that fell in 1795, in the entrance hall
• Project space Platform for young artists
• Open art workshop with workshops on weekends and during school holidays

Founded

1981

Operated by

Københavns Kommune

Director

Aukje Lepoutre Ravn

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on Wednesdays; for retirees on Tuesdays

The ticket is valid for 48 hours for Thorvaldsens Museum and Københavns Museum as well. Free admission with the Copenhagen Card. Tickets on site or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Older building with limited accessibility: the Nedre Galleri is accessible to wheelchair users; an older elevator leads to the third floor, but there are still steps to negotiate there. The most spacious of the three visitor restrooms (Nedre Galleri) has grab bars but does not meet all requirements for an accessible restroom. Service dogs are allowed. Details at God Adgang.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

In the art workshop (Kunstværkstedet) in the tower, visitors can work freely with paints and materials during opening hours; on selected weekends and during school holidays there are workshops for families. Participation and materials are included in the admission, and children always get in free. Baby changing table and space for strollers available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café with coffee, wine, and snacks (selection with Depanneur), which also serves as the ticket desk, and a shop with art books, postcards, and posters; redesigned in 2022.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 400 guests.

Available for rent for meetings, conferences, parties, dinners, concerts, product presentations, and photo shoots: Nedre Galleri (up to 400 standing or about 200 seated), Øvre Galleri (up to 115), café (40–50), Mellemtrinnet in the tower (about 20 seated), green meeting room (16), as well as guided tower tours.

Plan your visit