Kultorvet was created after the Copenhagen Fire of 1728 which destroyed a large part of the city. It was initially known as Ny Nørre Torv oven for Rundetårn. The current, more easy-on-the-tongue name gradually took over, referring to the market trade which dominated the site. Prior to the fire, trade in charcoal, fire wood and peat had taken place just inside the Northern City Gate, a practical location since it was controlled by colliers, peat gatherers and farmers from the forest-clad North Zealand. The original market square was considerably smaller but its area has gradually been increased in connection with demolitions and construction of new buildings.
19th century
T. M. Werner, a hardware and kitchenware wholesaler, opened at No. 4 on 1 June 1955. In 1950 at was still based at the site. One of the most well-lnown stores on the square was Francis Zachariae's clothing store. It opened on 16 October 1874 and was still based there in 1950. Københavns Sporveje's Line 12 trams passed the square from 7 December 1895 on their way between Søtorvet and Amagertorv. Kultorvet was pedestrianised and cleared of parking places in 1973 following the successful pedestrianisation of Strøget in the early 1960s.
The buildings on both sides of Købmagergade were replaced by modern buildings in the 1900s. A new building for Copenhagen Central Library was built on the east side of the square in 1957. The square was refurbished between 2011 and 2013 together with the rest of the pedestrian zone and Hauser Plads on the other side of the Library House. The new square was designed by Polyform.
The square
The 2013 renovation installed a large, circular water feature which doubles as a band stand for special events. One of Copenhagen's old telephone kiosks is found on the square. It was installed and operated by A/S Kjøbenhavns Telefonkiosker. On the square is Hanne Varming's bronze statueThe Elder Mother, presenting an elderly couple seated on a bench in quiet contemplation. The statue takes its name after Hans Christian Andersen's tale of the same name from 1851 but was also inspired by a memory of the artist's own great grand parents.
Architecture
Built in the 1730, No. 14 on the corner with Sankt Gertruds Stræde is the only building of the square that survives from the rebuilding of the square in the years after the Fire of 1728. No. 5, 7, 9-11 and 15 all date from the 1810s. No. 17 is the former Kultorvet Pharmacy. The Historicist building is from 1895 and was designed by Valdemar Ingemann. It was originally topped by a tall spire but it was dismantled after a few years The building on the corner of Købmagergade, also in the Historiccist style, is from 1908. The former Copenhagen Central Library is now home to one of several campuses of the Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College.
Transport
The nearest railway station is Nørreport station. It is served both by S-train and the Copenhagen Metro M1 and M2 lines.
