Herkules' history

The Hercules Pavilion was originally built as a small private gazebo for King Christian IV and his summer palace Rosenborg. Here, the king had the opportunity to entertain his guests or hold confidential meetings in private. Just like at Rosenborg Castle, there were hidden sound channels in the gazebo, so that the king and his guests could hear the music on the first floor, while the orchestra sat on the floor below.

 

In 1671, the gazebo was converted into a hermitage by Christian V. From the ground floor, which was still used as a kitchen, the table could now be set and subsequently hoisted up to the first floor for the dining guests.

 

During a trip to Italy in 1708-09, Frederick IV purchased the sculpture "Hercules and the Lion" from the Italian sculptor Giovanni Baratta.

 

The current neoclassical expression of the pavilion comes from the architect CF Harsdorff. In contrast to his contemporary colleagues, Harsdorff was interested in older architecture and wanted to preserve rather than demolish. In Kongens Have he rebuilt the hermitage in 1773, had the Hercules sculpture restored and flanked by two Tuscan columns.

 

After the garden was opened to the public in the late 18th century, the pavilion housed a small tavern, and in 1810 HC Firmenich was granted permission to serve tea, punch and lemonade to garden guests. Swiss confectioners baked pretzels, and there was service and occasional entertainment on the roof terrace.

 

Later in the 1900s, the pavilion was used as a staff residence. The building has been listed since 1918, and in 1999 the pavilion was converted into a café.*

 

Since 2016, it has been the Hercules Pavilion as we know it today; a small oasis in the heart of Copenhagen.