Pistolstræde (Pistol Alley)

Pistolstræde (Pistol Alley) is a passage between Østergade and Ny Østergade in the Inner City. The name comes from the shape of the strait, which is like a pistol.

Here you can see what old Copenhagen looked like. How close the houses were, and perhaps understand why the great fires of the 18th century could occur.

Here you can enjoy yourself in restaurants and cafés.

The buildings date from between 1732 and 1742.

In 1980, the Skadebrønden, created by Gunnar Westman, was installed on the square in Pistrolstræde. The Skadebrønden depicts a stylized house sparrow sitting on a pole. It sprays water from its beak into a wooden tub. The bird has a nice expression that gives the impression of a bird resting in itself. Gunnar Westman lived from 1915 to 1985. He was educated at the Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and has mainly made sculptures for children placed in playgrounds and schools. His main work, Snow Owl, is in Bispeparken at Bispebjerg.

Incidentally, the story goes that HC Andersen wrote the fairy tale The Matchstick Girl in Pistol Street.

Where:
Between Østergade and Ny Østergade in the Inner City

What to see next: