Assistens Cemetery, Copenhagen

Assistens Cemetery (Assistens Kirkegård) is a historic burial ground located in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen. It was inaugurated in 1760 to serve as a burial site for the poor, aiming to alleviate the overcrowding in graveyards within the city’s walled confines. Originally intended to assist the existing urban burial sites, the term "assistenskirkegård" has come to be used generically in Denmark to describe similar cemeteries.

Throughout the 19th century, Assistens Cemetery evolved from a modest resting place into a prestigious burial ground during Denmark's Golden Age. It became the final resting place for many luminaries of the era, including famed storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, and artists Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg and Christen Købke. The cemetery's popularity continued into the 20th century, attracting notable figures such as Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr and several American jazz musicians who settled in Copenhagen during the 1950s and 1960s, like Ben Webster and Kenny Drew.

Despite the establishment of new cemeteries around Copenhagen, such as Vestre Cemetery, due to overcrowding later in the 19th century, Assistens Cemetery remains a significant site. It continues to serve as an active burial ground and has become a popular tourist attraction. Additionally, it is the largest and most significant greenspace in the inner part of the Nørrebro district, providing a tranquil oasis in the urban setting.

The cemetery is structured into various sections, each with its unique character. Section A is the oldest part and houses the graves of Søren Kierkegaard and Christen Købke among others. Section D caters to religious minorities with Roman Catholic, Reformed, and Russian graves. Section E originally served the Church of Our Lady.

Today, Assistens Cemetery not only honors the memory of those buried there but also serves as a cultural and historical landmark, reflecting the rich heritage of Copenhagen.