Copenhagen University Library, Copenhagen

The Copenhagen University Library, located in Copenhagen, serves as the principal research library for the University of Copenhagen. Established in 1482, it holds the distinction of being the oldest library in Denmark. The library's origins are tied closely to the university itself, which was founded just three years earlier in 1479. Its foundation was marked by the donation of a book collection by the university's vice-rector, Peder Albertsen. The library's first designated building was the House of the Holy Ghost, and in 1553, a dedicated library structure was inaugurated at the current site of the university's main building. This building facilitated the library's functions for a century.

The historical main building, located in Fiolstræde, is a celebrated example of Neo-Gothic architecture, designed by Johan Daniel Herholdt and completed in 1861. Herholdt, influenced by his travels and observations—specifically the Crystal Palace in London and the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris—introduced a revolutionary structural system using cast iron to mitigate the risk of fire. His design also incorporated elements inspired by northern Italian cathedral architecture, notably the Church of San Fermo in Verona. Notable features include hive-like column terminations and a façade designed to complement the university's seven gabled fronts facing Frue Plads. The library's interiors were adorned by Georg Hilker, a prominent Danish decorative painter of that era.

Through its rich history and architectural significance, the Copenhagen University Library not only serves as a repository of knowledge but also as a landmark of Danish cultural and architectural heritage.