Freedom Column - Copenhagen, Denmark
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 55° 40.454 E 012° 33.803
33U E 346774 N 6172514
The Freedom Column, a.k.a. The Liberty Memorial, is located on Vesterbrogade, opposite the Main Railroad Station in Copenhagen.
Waymark Code: WMG552
Location: Denmark
Date Posted: 01/14/2013
Views: 34
The Freedom Column is a 20 meter (66') high obelisk is made of Italian and Polish marble and sandstone from the isle of Bornholm. It was created by sculptor Nicolai Abildgaard and erected in 1797. The corners of the obelisk have a 2.2 meter (7.26') high figures symbolizing Fidelity - Justice - Virtue and Courage.
The Freedom Column was erected to commemorate the abolition of adscription in 1788. Adscription was the practice of binding a tenant farmer to his hereditary plot of land and to the will of his landlord. This, effectively, prevented tenant farmers from leaving the property from where they were born without the permission of the landowners. The Freedom Column was a gift to the City of Copenhagen from its citizens who advocated for the abolition of adscription. The Freedom Column also honors King Christian VII who abolished the practice and supported further agricultural reforms.
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Danish inscriptions and their English translations from the website:
On the front of the obelisk (the side facing Vesterbro) in bronze lettering:
KONGEN
BØD
STAVNSBAANDET
SKAL OPHØRE
LANDBOE
LOVENE
GIVES
ORDEN OG KRAFT
AT
DEN FRIE BONDE
KAN
VORDE
KIEK OG OPLYST
FLITTIG OG GOD
HÆDERLIG
BORGER
LYKKELIG
(The King ordered that adscription should cease and rural laws be given order and strength so that the free peasant may become a spirited and enlightened, zealous and good, honest citizen and happy.)
On the rear of the obelisk in bronze lettering:
KONGEN
KIENDTE
AT
BORGERFRIEHED
BESTEMT
VED
RETFÆRDIG LOV
GIVER
KIERLIGHED TIL
FÆDRELAND
MOD TIL DETS VÆRN
LYST TIL KUNDSKAB
ATTRAAE
TIL FLID
HAAB OM HELD
(The King recognised that the freedom of the citizen, determined by just law, gives love of the fatherland, courage to defend it, a desire for knowledge, an attraction to hard work, the hope of good fortune).
On the left side of the plinth a white marble slab with bronze lettering:
GRUNDSTENEN
BLEV LAGT AF
FREDERIK
KONGENS SØN
FOLKETS VEN
MDCCXCII
(The foundation stone was laid by Frederik, the King's son, the friend of the people, MDCCXCII).
On the right side of the plinth on a white marble slab in bronze lettering:
FOR
CHRISTIAN DEN SYVENDE
DE DANSKES OG
NORSKES
KONGE
AF
EENIGE OG TAKNEMMELIGE
BORGERE
(For Christian the Seventh, the King of Denmark and Norway, from united and grateful citizens).
Date Created/Placed: 1797
Address:
Vesterbrogade
Copenhagen, Denmark
Height: 20 meters / 66 feet
Illuminated: yes
Website: [Web Link]
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