The Cisterns, Copenhagen

The Cisterns is a captivating museum located in Copenhagen. Situated within the Frederiksberg Museums, it serves as a distinctive venue for art exhibitions and various events, capitalizing on its unique architectural features and atmospheric allure.

Originally constructed in 1856 and completed in just three years, The Cisterns were designed to address the pressing water supply issues of Copenhagen by providing a substantial reservoir that could store up to 16 million liters of clean water. This underground facility functioned as a critical water source for the city until 1933, after which it was eventually decommissioned and drained in 1981.

In a transformative reimagining of its space, The Cisterns reopened in 1996, coinciding with Copenhagen’s recognition as the European City of Culture. This redevelopment was a collaborative effort between the City of Frederiksberg and Max Seidenfaden, a gallery owner who later managed the site as a museum of modern glass art from 2001 to 2013.

Notably, The Cisterns is distinguished as Denmark’s sole dripstone cave. It features a natural display of stalactites and stalagmites—an unusual phenomenon in concrete structures that showcases an extraordinary scale and diversity not found elsewhere.

Adding to its intrigue, The Cisterns was listed by Forbes in February 2009 as one of Europe’s most unusual exhibition spaces, a testament to its striking transformation from a functional reservoir to a cultural and artistic haven. The site continues to draw visitors not only for its art exhibitions but also for the singular experience offered by its historical and geologically significant surroundings.