The subterranean dry dock that hides a world of seafaring history.
Kulturhavn Kronborg is an area in the harbour of Helsingør dedicated to culture and events, designed to attract residents and visitors. It is a joint initiative by Kronborg Castle, the Danish Maritime Museum, Kulturværftet (The Culture Yard) and Helsingør harbour, and was opened in May 2013. Kulturhavn Kronborg is the culmination of an ambitious project by the city of Helsingør to leave the industrial era behind and enter a new chapter for the town. This was achieved first, with the establishment of the Kulturværftet in 2010, in the buildings of the former Helsingør Værft (Elsinore Shipyard), and subsequently, with the opening of the Danish Maritime Museum in the summer of 2013, in the neighbouring dry dock. The main attraction to Kulturhavn Kronborg is the Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the centre harbour basin the Town of Helsingør has commissioned a statue by the artist duo, Elmgreen and Dragset, with the title, han, installed in 2012.
Featured in Bjarke Ingels's definitive monograph, BIG: Formgiving.
Visitor Guide
Walk the zig-zagging bridges that span the dry dock; they are the only part of the building visible from the surface.
From the edge of the historic dry dock, looking down into the glass-and-steel 'void'.
Open daily 10 AM – 5 PM. Tickets: 125 DKK (free with Copenhagen Card).
BIG was forbidden from building above ground to protect the views of the nearby Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s Castle).
2-3 hours
Design & Structure
Utilized the existing 60-year-old dry dock as a structural mold, inserting a double-walled glass gallery into the void.
Glass, steel, and the original weathered concrete of the dry dock.
The bridges serve as 'structural beams' that prevent the dry dock walls from collapsing under the pressure of the surrounding soil.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Kulturhavn Kronborg — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Bjarke Ingels
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VM Houses
8 House
Tirpitz Museum (Denmark)
Vancouver House
Telus Garden
M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
Nearby in Helsingør Municipality
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Kulturhavn Kronborg?+
Kulturhavn Kronborg was designed by Bjarke Ingels and completed in 2013. It is located in Helsingør Municipality, Denmark.
Where is Kulturhavn Kronborg located?+
Kulturhavn Kronborg is located in Helsingør Municipality, Denmark. Its coordinates are 56.0378°, 12.6146°.
When was Kulturhavn Kronborg built?+
Kulturhavn Kronborg was completed in 2013. It was designed by Bjarke Ingels.
Can I visit Kulturhavn Kronborg?+
Kulturhavn Kronborg is a real building in Helsingør Municipality that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.