Thorvaldsens Museum

About the museum

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844) went to Rome as a young artist in 1796, where he worked for most of his life and became one of the most famous sculptors in Europe. In September 1838 he returned to København aboard the frigate Rota, with his art collections and a large part of his own works on board.

A museum was built specially for these works, designed by Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, a friend of Thorvaldsen from his Roman years. He designed the building in strong colors modeled on the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum and took over from Thorvaldsen's workshops the high side lighting. The museum opened in 1848. A frieze by Jørgen Sonne running around the façade shows the artist's arrival and the transport of his works; it was restored in the 1950s and again between 2001 and 2008. Thorvaldsen's grave is in the inner courtyard.

The building shows Thorvaldsen's marble and plaster sculptures – gods and heroes of antiquity, funerary monuments and memorials such as those to Copernicus or Pope Pius VII – as well as his own collection of ancient art, paintings and casts. Today the museum belongs to the City of København and, together with the Museum of Copenhagen and the Nikolaj Kunsthal, forms a joint annual pass association.

Highlights

• Marble and plaster sculptures by Bertel Thorvaldsen
• Colorful architecture by M. G. Bindesbøll
• Façade frieze by Jørgen Sonne on Thorvaldsen's homecoming
• Thorvaldsen's collection of ancient art
• The artist's grave in the inner courtyard

Permanent exhibitions

• Thorvaldsens Skulpturen – Marble works and plaster models with motifs from ancient mythology as well as designs for tombs and monuments across Europe.
• Thorvaldsens Antikensammlung – Thorvaldsen's own collection of ancient works of art.
• Thorvaldsens Abguss-Sammlung – Plaster casts from the sculptor's possession.

Founded

1848

Operated by

Københavns Kommune

Director

Annette Johansen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on Wednesdays

Tickets at the ticket office or in advance online via Billetto.

Accessibility

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

Older building with many steps, without an accessible entrance and without an elevator between the three levels. A visit in a wheelchair is possible only if companions (with the help of staff) carry the person and wheelchair into the museum and between the floors; a lightweight loan wheelchair is available. Public accessible parking space at Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads. Nearest accessible public restroom: Ved Stranden 18A. Participant in the God Adgang certification system.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

A free coloring and activity booklet and an art treasure hunt are available at the ticket office, plus colored pencils to borrow. Large strollers do not fit through the doors; the museum lends buggies, and narrow buggies of your own are allowed. Changing facility only in the women's restroom.

Getting there & parking

The main entrance is on the side opposite Vindebrogade.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café with mostly organic, regional food and drinks – seating in the gallery, the entrance hall or on the grand staircase. Free lockers in the basement; bags larger than A4, backpacks, suitcases and long umbrellas are not allowed into the exhibition. Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 350 guests.

Dinners and receptions in the entrance hall only outside opening hours (Tue–Sun 17:00–24:00, Mon 10:00–24:00): up to 150 people seated, up to 350 for a reception; rental price from DKK 38,500 plus a weekend surcharge.

Plan your visit