The Round Tower (or Rundetaarn, as it’s also spelled) is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic buildings—not only fascinating from an architectural standpoint, but also surrounded by royal eccentricity, science… and a touch of royal stubbornness.
And why did King Christian IV build it? Well, it all comes down to a king’s dream of combining knowledge, glory—and donkeys. Here comes a historical and rather amusing anecdote.
Today’s Anecdote
The tale of the Round Tower, royal pride, and an astronomical climb
In the early 1600s, Christian IV wanted to put Denmark on the scientific world map. Tycho Brahe (Denmark’s superstar astronomer) had just died, and the king had lost both him and a proper observatory.
So he decided: “We shall have a tower! A tower for the stars! And it must be so elegant that one can ride all the way up on horseback!”
And thus the idea of the Round Tower was born—as an observatory, a library, and a monument to Danish learning. But of course, it had to be royally unique—so instead of stairs, it was built with the famous spiral ramp winding all the way to the top.
And now, the fun part:
According to legend, Christian IV was so delighted with his idea that he wanted to demonstrate it personally. So when the Round Tower was completed in 1642, he rode up through the tower on horseback, accompanied by courtiers and musicians, while astonished citizens looked on. But here comes the twist: That’s not the most famous ride.
In 1716—almost 75 years later—Peter the Great of Russia visited Copenhagen and, naturally, received a royal tour. When he heard about the tower’s design, he reportedly asked: “Can one also ride up… in a carriage?” Before anyone could answer, he ordered his servant to hitch a horse to a four-wheeled carriage—and promptly drove the whole way up inside the Round Tower. His wife, Catherine the Great (then still just Catherine), sat gracefully in the carriage with a not entirely convinced expression. When they reached the top, Peter exclaimed:
“Not much room to turn around… but the view is fine!”
The Round Tower became a symbol of Christian IV’s love of grand ideas, science, and a dash of ego. And the spiral ramp became famous as the only place in Europe where one can: Access a library, an observatory, and a church at the same time Cycle uphill without lifting one’s wheels And drive a horse-drawn carriage all the way to the top
MORE ABOUT THE COFFEE
Malawi
Origin
Pamwamba
coffee roast
Taste Notes
Cassis, kiwi, biscuit
Pamwamba Estate in Malawi cultivates coffee with precision and care. Hand-harvested between May and September, the cherries are pulped at the estate’s wet mill, sun-dried, and carefully graded near Limbe, ensuring full traceability from field to bag. The result is a clean, distinctive cup that reflects Malawi’s unique terroir—often showing bright citrus, gentle florals, and a smooth sweetness that lingers on the palate.
Altitude: 1050-1150 m.a.s.l.
Variety: SL28, Catimor 129
Process: Washed
Did you know that you can order same coffee as beans?
