Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen


The Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen is the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Denmark. The chancery is located at Kristianiagade 5 in Indre Østerbro, Copenhagen, and is a heritage listed building.

History

In 1897, Otto Mønsted, a Danish entrepreneur and margarine magnate, purchased three parcels of land in Østerbro, Copenhagen and commissioned architect Vilhelm Dahlerup to design a villa on the site. Dahlerup, who specialised in Italian Renaissance style design had previously designed the Hotel D’Angleterre, the Jesus Church in Valby, the National Gallery, and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, amongst others. Completed in 1899, the building of the mansion cost Mønsted half a million krone.
The entrance was decorated with a monogram with the initials AOM. The Mønsteds kept a large staff in their mansion, with gardeners creating a large garden, and in the garage Mønsted kept Copenhagen's most expensive car. The Mønsteds also bred Scottish hunting dogs and kept race horses in the barn.
In 1934, Anna Mønsted sold the mansion for 265,000 kroner to Countess Musse Scheel, a Danish actress, who became the last private owner of the mansion. Scheel, an animal lover, who was widely regarded as being eccentric, kept a hen house in the yard and sold eggs to her neighbours.
During the occupation of Denmark by Nazi Germany, the mansion was the headquarters of the Northern Society which promoted cultural co-operation between Nazi Germany and the Nordic countries.
In 1950, the Soviet Union signed a contract leasing the mansion for 20,000 kroner per year. In 1982, the mansion, as well as Kristianiagade 3 and Bergensgade 11, were granted to the Soviets, on the basis of reciprocity, free of charge for the purpose of embassy requirements for a period of 70 years, until 31 December 2051.
The building and garage are heritage listed buildings, having entered the register of the Danish Heritage Agency on 3 December 1991.