This library, once reserved for royal use, is one of the city’s true architectural jewels. Accordingly, in reference to its polished black granite facade, the library’s new building is nicknamed the “Black Diamond”. The old building, forming one half of the current-day complex, was designed in 1898-1906 based on sketches by well-known Danish architect H.J. Holm. Only in 1999 was the Black Diamond addition constructed, to a design by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Especially impressive is the transition between the old and new buildings. Great escalators and staircases facilitate one’s time-travel forwards and backwards through the sections of the library. With more than 4.5 million volumes, the Royal Library houses the largest single collection in the Nordic countries.
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1
1553 Copenhagen
phone: +45 33 474747
sun closed
mon - sat 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
