The iconic Borsen, a historic Stock Exchange located in central Copenhagen, was engulfed in flames on Tuesday morning. The building, commissioned by King Christian IV and constructed between 1619 and 1640, is one of the oldest structures in the city. As the fire raged on, the 54-meter high spiral spire collapsed, reminiscent of the Notre-Dame de Paris tragedy.
Several people were seen entering the building to salvage large paintings while authorities worked to determine the cause of the fire and evacuated nearby areas, including an annex of Parliament. The Danish Chamber of Commerce expressed sorrow over the loss and urged people to steer clear of the area. The Minister of Culture mourned the destruction of 400 years of Danish cultural heritage, while the Danish embassy in France also voiced its concern.
Despite various fires affecting the vicinity over the years, this is the first time that major damage has occurred to this historic building. No longer used for stock market activities since the 1970s, Borsen often hosted gala dinners and events but was not open to the public. The loss of this iconic structure has left a significant impact on Copenhagen’s cultural heritage.