H. C. Andersens Boulevard

H. C. Andersens Boulevard is the most densely trafficated artery in central Copenhagen, Denmark. The 1.3 km long six-lane street passes City Hall Square on its way from Jarmers Plads, a junction just south of Nørreport station, to Lange Bridge which connects it to Amager Boulevard on Amager. From Jarmers Plads traffic continues along Gyldenløvegade which on the far side of The Lakes splits into Aaboulevard and Rosenørns Allé.

History
Franz Šedivý: The boulevard in 1894

H. C. Andersens Boulevard, originally known as Vestre Boulevard, was planned after Copenhagen's fortifications had been decommissioned and roughly follows the course of the moat which ran outside the West Rampart. It was inspired by Vienna's Ringstraße as well as Haussmann's wide boulevards in Paris.[1] Its final course was determined in a plan from 1872.[2] As it was not intended for through traffic, most traffic to and from Lange Bridge still used Vester Voldgade. In 1890, Vestre Boulevard was laid out as a green promenade with an abundance of trees and flowers where the city's bourgeoisie would stroll in peaceful surroundings.[3]

When Lange Bridge was replaced with a new bridge in 1903, it was built as a direct continuation of Vestre Boulevard. The Dante Column was installed in front of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in 1922 and the surrounding section of the street was renamed Dantes Plads. [4]

During World War II, the broad central reservation was used for construction of bunkers. Soon after the war, the lanes were widened in response to increasing car traffic. In 1954, a new Lange Bridge opened as a direct continuation of Vestre Boulevard to release the pressure on the more narrow Vester Voldgade.[3]

Buildings
The Studenterforeningen building (left)

References
  1. "Vand blev til land" (in Danish). Berlingske. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  2. "Fra industribygning til Industriens Hus" (in Danish). Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from the original on 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  3. "Fra promenade til motorgade" (in Danish). Berlingske. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  4. "Vester Boulevard". gamle-dage.dk. Retrieved 2013-07-19.

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