Nyhavn, house by house

The sunny side – odd numbers

Scroll sideways along the quay, and tap a house number to read about the house.

1357911131517192123252729313335373941434547495153555759616365676971

• Nyhavn 1

  • FactActors from the Royal Theatre and the Casino met in the Kahytten wine bar here Source
  • FactRoyal opera singer Peter Schram lived on the second floor from 1860 to 1875 Source

• Nyhavn 5

  • FactCarl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen's first home: an attic flat, 1891–92 Source

• Nyhavn 9

  • FactBuilt in 1681 – the year is spelled out in the wrought-iron wall anchors on the gable Source
  • Myth?'Nyhavn's oldest house'? Charlottenborg on the corner was begun as early as 1672 Source

• Nyhavn 11

  • FactThe Rosenkilde acting family moved in during the 1840s; the daughter became Julie Sødring Source

• Nyhavn 17

  • FactTattoo-Ole worked in the basement from 1947 until his death in 1988 Source
  • FactProbably the world's oldest tattoo shop – people have been tattooed here since the 1800s Source

• Nyhavn 21

  • FactPapa Bue's jazz band first played here on 1 June 1956, then as the New Orleans Jazz Band Source

• Nyhavn 23

  • FactComposer Friedrich Kuhlau ('Elverhøj') lived and died here in 1832 Source

• Nyhavn 25

  • FactAsger Jorn painted the name sign above the ground floor Source
  • Myth?'Dirch Passer was discovered here' – another source places the meeting at Kahytten Source

• Nyhavn 53

  • FactComposer Peter Heise ('King and Marshal') lived here until 1857 Source

• Nyhavn 63

  • Fact'ANNO 1756' is written on the facade – but the four dormers were only added in 1942 Source
  • FactAugust Bournonville wrote the ballet 'The King's Volunteers on Amager' here (from 1870) Source

• Nyhavn 67

  • FactHans Christian Andersen lived here on the second floor from 1848 to 1865 Source
  • Myth – bustedMyth: the plaque says 1845–1864. He actually moved in in 1848 and out in 1865 Source

The shady side – even numbers

Scroll sideways along the quay, and tap a house number to read about the house.

2468101214161820222438404244

• Nyhavn 2

  • FactRoyal Danish Academy of Fine Arts since 1754, in a palace from 1672–83 Source
  • FactSculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen lived here as a professor from 1838 until his death in 1844 Source

• Nyhavn 6

  • Myth – bustedMyth: Carl Nielsen lived at No. 6 in 1891–96. His letters say No. 5, and only until 1892 Source

• Nyhavn 18

  • FactHans Christian Andersen's last home: two rooms on the first floor, 1871–75 Source
  • FactThe year after Andersen died, critic Georg Brandes briefly lived in the same flat Source

• Nyhavn 20

  • FactH.C. Andersen lived here when his first fairy tales were published in May 1835 Source

• Nyhavn 24

  • FactBethel is named after a ship that served as a seamen's church in Nyhavn and sank in 1906 Source

The canal

• FactDug by soldiers and Swedish prisoners of war; flooded on 19 October 1673 Source
• FactThe canal was originally called Gyldenløve's Canal Source
• Myth – bustedMyth: the canal is 450 m long. Measured: c. 400 m per quay (north-side street c. 455 m) Source
• FactThe Memorial Anchor (1951) honours c. 1,600 Danish seafarers lost in the Second World War Source
• Myth – bustedMyth: the Gedser Rev lightship is in Nyhavn. Once a landmark here, it is now in Helsingør Source

Download the poster

Both rows of houses and all the stamps on one poster for printing, in Danish and English.

Poster in Danish (JPG)Poster in English (JPG)