Old Stock Exchange (Borsen), Copenhagen

Once known as "the commodity bourse"—because "stock exchange" didn’t sound quite grand enough in the 17th century—this building was constructed between 1619 and 1640 by two Flemish-Danish architects who clearly wanted to show off a bit. In essence, this red-brick beauty was King Christian IV’s way of saying, “Hey, Europe, Copenhagen means business.”

Its long waterfront façade was basically a fancy welcome mat for merchants sailing in from afar. Styled in the Dutch Renaissance fashion—with all its ornate gables and scrolls—it quickly became a symbol of the city’s ambition to be the trading capital of Northern Europe.

But what really turned their heads was that wild Dragon Spire! Imagine the tails of four dragons braided together, topped with crowns like a scaly Scandinavian power move. This symbolism was a nod to the union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden… and maybe a subtle hint that Copenhagen wouldn’t mind being the emperor of trade in the north.

The spire originally went up in 1625 but was swapped out in 1775 for a sturdier version. According to legend, it kept the building safe from fire and enemies—like a very pointy good luck charm. And for centuries, it worked. Even as neighboring buildings were reduced to ashes, the Bourse stood tall… until April 16, 2024.

On that day, during renovation works, flames got the better of it. Half the building was lost, and the iconic spire came crashing down. Denmark mourned, comparisons to Notre Dame flew, and officials quickly vowed, “We’ll rebuild it!”

And while that phoenix moment is still ahead, you can check out the spires over in Christian's Harbor—Copenhagen’s own “Little Amsterdam.” They’ve got flair of their own.

Tip:
If you want the perfect photo of the Bourse (or what's left of it), take the elevator in Christiansborg Palace across the street. It’s got a killer view. And if you're itching to see inside the Bourse, mark your calendar for Culture Night in October. But brace yourself—the lines are long because, apparently, exclusive historical architecture is still very much in.