كوبنهاغن
Gammeltorv is one of the two oldest squares in Copenhagen, in the heart of the pedestrian streets of the centre. In the middle stands the Caritas Fountain, the oldest fountain in the city.
One of the oldest squares
Gammeltorv means “old square”. There was already a market here in the city's first centuries, in the Middle Ages. Next to it is Nytorv, the “new square”, opened in the early 1600s.
Two great fires, in 1728 and 1795, destroyed many houses. After the second, the two squares were joined into one big square. The houses were rebuilt within a few years, with light, simple façades.
What to look at
In the middle is the Caritas Fountain. A woman with her children stands on top of a column, above a copper basin. The statues stand for charity, which means love for those in need.
Look at the buildings around it too. On the north side, at number 18, is a house built right after the fire of 1795. On the Nygade side there is a building with arched windows.
A useful fountain
Today's fountain was made by moving and rebuilding an older one, ordered by King Frederik II. It was not only beautiful: it was part of the city's water network.
People could count on clean water right in the middle of their homes. That is why the square was always full of people, at every hour of the day.
