1043

1043 - The first written record of the city

Sildefiskeri, Øresund Though there is evidence that Copenhagen existed as a settlement over 6,000 years ago, its first written record did not come until 1043.

At this time Copenhagen, then called simply Havn (harbour), was of little strategic or political importance but consisted merely of a small group of wattle and daub huts located between the present day Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) and the sea. The occupation of the population consisted mainly of fishing the plentiful herring in Øresund, the narrow stretch of water separating Denmark and Sweden.

Gradually, however, the town began to grow in significance because of its en route position between the royal seat in Roskilde (west of Copenhagen) and the religious centre of the Cathedral of Lund in southern Sweden, an area that was also full of trading posts. It should be remembered that at this time southern Sweden was part of the Danish kingdom.



City maps Basic facts Practical information History Great Danes - past Great Danes - present Historic events The Little Mermaid Tourist information Vesterbro - Copenhagen's hippest quarter Tourist > About Copenhagen > History > Historic events > 1043 1043 1043 - The first written record of the city Though there is evidence that Copenhagen existed as a settlement over 6,000 years ago, its first written record did not come until 1043. At this time Copenhagen, then called simply Havn (harbour), was of little strategic or political importance but consisted merely of a small group of wattle and daub huts located between the present day Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) and the sea. The occupation of the population consisted mainly of fishing the plentiful herring in Øresund, the narrow stretch of water separating Denmark and Sweden. Gradually, however, the town began to grow in significance because of its en route position between the royal seat in Roskilde (west of Copenhagen) and the religious centre of the Cathedral of Lund in southern Sweden, an area that was also full of trading posts. It should be remembered that at this time southern Sweden was part of the Danish kingdom.