This large statue was unveiled in 1902 to mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Bishop Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen. The statue depicts Absalon as a military commander on a rearing horse wearing armor and helmet with an axe in his right hand. The statue faces Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen, where Absalon's bishop's castle once stood, but he turns his head to the right, looking in the direction of Copenhagen City Hall. On the front side, it reads "1128 Absalon 1201".
A frieze at the bottom of the upper part features a school of fish and wavy lines, symbolizing Øresund and the herring fishing which in Absalon's day significantly contributed to the wealth of the small fishing hamlet.
I found it a useful spot to sit and eat my sandwich. But Absalon is definitely an impressive dude! read more