Historic Copenhagen Stock Exchange Building Severely Damaged by Fire, Restoration Could Take Over a Decade

The historic Børsen stock exchange building in Copenhagen, Denmark, was severely damaged by a fire on April 16, 2023. The building, which dates back to 1624 and is one of the city's best-known landmarks, had its iconic dragon-tailed spire collapse onto the roof during the blaze. The fire started in an area where restoration work was ongoing to bring the Dutch Renaissance-style building back to its original appearance ahead of its 400th anniversary.

While the building contained valuable artworks, including a famous painting by impressionist artist Peder Severin Kroyer, most of the artwork was saved. The building itself is considered the most important artifact that has been lost. Experts estimate that the restoration could cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take over 10 years to finish.

The Børsen building, which was constructed in the 17th century under the reign of Christian IV, is known for its distinctive spire shaped like the tails of four intertwined dragons. The fire destroyed about half of the building and resulted in the collapse of the iconic Dragon Spire. There were no casualties, but several hundred historic artworks and furniture were rescued from the burning building by staff, emergency workers, and bystanders.

Why this matters: The Børsen building is a renowned landmark and an important part of Copenhagen's architectural heritage. The fire has caused significant damage to this cultural treasure, and the lengthy and costly restoration process underscores the challenges in preserving historic buildings.

The Danish government and the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which owns the building, have vowed to rebuild Børsen "no matter what." The mayors of Copenhagen have stated that it is vital to restore the building, and they will work with the owners to offer their support. The fire has been described as Denmark's "own Notre Dame moment," drawing comparisons to the devastating fire that struck the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019.

Key Takeaways

• Historic Børsen stock exchange building in Copenhagen severely damaged by fire on April 16, 2023.
• Iconic dragon-tailed spire collapsed, but most artworks were saved; restoration could cost hundreds of millions.
• Building constructed in 17th century under Christian IV, known for its distinctive dragon-shaped spire.
• Fire destroyed about half the building, no casualties but hundreds of historic items rescued.
• Danish government and Chamber of Commerce vow to rebuild Børsen, comparing it to Notre-Dame fire.