Statue of Bishop Absalon

The equestrian statue of Bishop Absalon rises from the center of Højbro Plads, depicting a man in mail and helmet seated atop a rearing horse with a battle-axe in his hand. Erected in nineteen oh two to mark the seven hundredth anniversary of his death, the bronze figure honors the churchman and statesman who is traditionally credited with founding Copenhagen. Absalon faces toward Christiansborg Palace, situated on the island of Slotsholmen where he commissioned a defensive fortress in eleven sixty-seven.