The Cisterns

The Cisterns was once a subterranean reservoir, containing the supply of drinking water for the Danish capital. Today the underground cave hosts great art exhibitions and art installations.

The Cisterns in Søndermarken Park
Resting deep beneath the green lawns of Søndermarken Park is a cavernous world that never sees the light of day. Enveloped in darkness, these damp and cold surroundings call ancient cathedrals and murky catacombs instantly to mind.

History of The Cisterns
The Cisterns, a long forgotten subterranean reservoir, once contained the supply of drinking water for the Danish capital and could hold as much as 16 million liters of clean water.

Excavation began in 1856. Taking only three years to complete, the great structure quickly helped to alleviate many of the water supply problems of the day; but by 1933, the city’s cisterns ceased their function as a reservoir for drinking water, and they were finally drained in 1981. In 1996, in connection with Copenhagen’s status as European City of Culture – and through a joint initiative between the City of Frederiksberg and gallery owner Max Seidenfaden, who ran The Cisterns as a museum of modern glass art from 2001 to 2013– the underground water reservoir was put to use as an exhibition space.

Today, The Cisterns is an integral part of Frederiksberg Museums, acting as a venue for art exhibitions and other events where the singularity of its architecture and atmosphere remains a core attraction.

The Cisterns: A Cave within a City
Located under Frederiksberg Hill in the heart of Søndermarken Park, The Cisterns is the only dripstone cave in Denmark. The natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites are not uncommon for concrete structures, yet none anywhere can offer the sheer magnitude and diversity of those found here.

Such geological formations are extremely fragile, so for the sake of the museum as well as future guests we kindly request that you refrain from touching them. Thank you.

The Cisterns
Søndermarken
2000 Frederiksberg

 +45 30 73 80 32
 cisternerne@frederiksbergmuseerne.dk

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Opening hours

Monday: – Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 – 18:00
Wednesday: 11:00 – 18:00
Thursday: 11:00 – 20:00
Friday: 11:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00

Opening hours are indicative. Please visit the museum’s website to be sure.

Prices

Adults: 115 DKK
Children: (age 18 and under: Free
Students: 90 DKK
Groups: (min. 20 persons) pr. person 90 DKK
Rabatter: Fællesbillet til Frederiksbergmuseerne 175 DKK

Prices are indicative. Please visit the museum’s website to be sure.

Facilities, etc.

Garden/Park
Copenhagen Card