Nestled in the heart of Copenhagen, Assistens Cemetery beckons locals and tourists with its serene ambiance, rich history, and the eternal resting place of numerous notable figures.
In this article, I'll walk you through the history of the cemetery and unveil some of the notable Danish figures that are buried here. I'll also share details about guided tours and give you some local tips.
Towards the bottom, you can also see opening hours for Assistens Cemetery.
For locals in Nørrebro, the Assistant's Cemetery is both a cemetery and a popular park for hanging out and relaxation. Here you’ll find people sunbathing, reading a book or having picnic, off course with respect for the graves and especially the newer graves.
Embrace the local lifestyle - grab a coffee to go and enjoy the atmosphere and history in beautiful Assistens Cemetery.
What's the story behind Assistens Cemetery?
Assistens was established in 1760 and was initially set up to ease the congestion in the city's crowded cemeteries. Thus it was called "Assistens" meaning the assisting cemetery. At this point in time, the cemetery was outside the city walls. Today, it's part of vibrant Nørrebro thanks to the growth of Copenhagen.
Over time, Assistens Cemetery transformed into a peaceful area with grand trees and meandering paths.
The stories of Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, Niels Bohr, and many more are interwoven into the very fabric of this historic cemetery, making it a must-visit destination for tourists seeking a tranquil escape and a glimpse into Denmark's illustrious past.
Who is buried at Assistens Cemetery?
Lots of notable Danish people are buried at Assistens, including the poet Hans Christian Andersen, musician Natasha Saad, philosopher Søren Kirkegård, physicist Niels Bohr and painter Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. I'll go through them all below – but I do recommend that you visit their graves at Assistens Cemetery.
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)
The iconic Danish author, best known for his fairy tales such as The "Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling," finds eternal repose in Assistens Cemetery. A simple gravestone pays tribute to the literary giant whose imagination continues to enchant readers worldwide. You can find Copenhagen's famous Little Mermaid Sculpture by Edvard Eriksen at Lange Linje Kaj. Despite its modest size, it's a highly visited attraction in the city. There's also a popular H. C. Andersen tour on StoryHunt where you can learn about his quite unusual life.
Natasha Saad (1974-2007)
Natasja Saad, also known as Natasja, was a dynamic Danish rapper and reggae singer who left a lasting impact on the music scene. Born in 1974, she began her music career at 13, blending her Danish and Sudanese heritage with a love for Jamaican music. Her career soared with the hit "Calabria 2007," which topped the international Billboard charts after her death.
Tragically, Natasja died in a car accident in Jamaica on June 24, 2007. She is buried at Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen, alongside Denmark’s most influential cultural figures. Her legacy endures through her music, inspiring fans worldwide
A fun fact about Natasja Saad is that before she fully immersed herself in her music career, she was a professional jockey and made history by becoming the first female jockey to win a horse race in Sudan. This unique achievement highlights her diverse talents and adventurous spirit, which she carried into her successful music career
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Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
Søren Kierkegaard was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and is often hailed as the father of existentialism. Kierkegaard's writings delve deeply into the complexities of human existence, focusing on themes such as individuality, faith, and the tension between the finite and infinite.
Kierkegaard introduced the idea of the "leap of faith," arguing that true religious belief requires a personal, passionate commitment that transcends rational thought. He believed that faith involves a profound trust in God, which goes beyond mere ethical living and embraces the paradoxes of religious life.
A fun fact about Kierkegaard is that he once engaged in a public feud with a popular Danish satirical paper, The Corsair. His criticisms led to the paper publishing caricatures of him, making him a figure of ridicule in Copenhagen. Despite the negative attention, Kierkegaard's work continued to gain posthumous recognition, significantly influencing later existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger.
Niels Bohr (1885-1962)
Niels Bohr revolutionized atomic theory with his Bohr model, explaining that electrons orbit the nucleus in discrete levels. This model, which explained atomic emission spectra, earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922.
Bohr's principle of complementarity stated that particles like electrons exhibit both wave and particle properties based on the experimental context. His work on the liquid droplet model of the nucleus was crucial for understanding nuclear fission.
During WWII, Bohr fled Nazi-occupied Denmark, contributing to the Manhattan Project in the U.S. He later advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and international cooperation. If you want to learn more about the WW2 in Denmark, check out the Occupation tour.
A fun fact about Niels Bohr is that he was an avid football (soccer) fan and player. Bohr played as a goalkeeper for the Copenhagen-based Akademisk Boldklub (Academic Football Club) during his youth – and his brother was an Olympian athlete.
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783-1853)
Eckersberg is celebrated as the "Father of Danish Painting." His artistic journey began at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and was enriched by studying under the renowned Jacques-Louis David in Paris.
Returning to Denmark, Eckersberg became a professor at the Royal Danish Academy in 1818. His teaching methods were very novel for the time; he took students outdoors to paint directly from nature, a practice he embraced during his travels. This approach not only revitalized Danish art but also sparked the Golden Age of Danish Painting.
Eckersberg's body of work is diverse, spanning portraits, landscapes, and marine paintings.
A fun fact about Eckersberg is his unique access to the Copenhagen Naval Station. Here, he often observed sailors swimming naked, which provided him a rare opportunity to study and depict the human form with remarkable authenticity. This practice significantly enriched his paintings of classical subjects.
Are there guided tour on Assistens Cemetery?
On Assistens Cemetery there are multiple options for guided tours, including:
- StoryHunt's self-guided tours: this is the most flexible option to go on a guided tour on Assistens Cemetery – multiple of these take place in and around Assistens
- Free guided tours with physical guides: Several times a week there are guided tours on the cemetery at certain times – read more about it here
- Guided tours for groups of up to 10 people: If you're a larger group you can book your own guide ead more about it here
Is there an app for Assistens Cemetery?
There is no official app for the Assistens Cemetery. However, you can explore the cemetery and its surroundings with the StoryHunt app which features several guided tours in and around Assistens Cemetery – including the Official Assistens Guided Audio Tour.
You can also download the StoryHunt app where you can find all the stories about Assistens Cemetery – Download the StoryHunt App.
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