The Cisterns or Cisterne in Søndermarken

The Cisterns were once a reservoir containing the drinking water supply for the Danish capital Copenhagen, but today the cave hosts excellent art exhibitions and art installations. Located in Søndermarken Park, it’s a perfect cool-down place when visiting on a hot summer day. 

It is cold in the Cisterns even on sunny days, so come prepared. There is no toilet, and there are a few steps to entry. Also, keep your eyes on the ground when you waddle around, or you will end up stepping into the water.

They are spacious, bigger than you imagine and the exhibitions are always interesting. 

Tickets to the Cisterns

If you have the Copenhagen Card, the entry is included in it (and we recommend getting it). If you don’t have the card, the prices are below.

• • Adults: 115 DKK
  • Children under the age of 18: free entry
  • Students: 90 DKK
  • Seniors: free entry
  • Penguins: free entry
  • Admission included in Copenhagen Card

You can purchase tickets directly at the entrance, and payment by card is no problem and preferred.

Opening Hours to the Cisterns

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 – 18:00
• Thursday from 11:00 – 20:00

Please check their official website to ensure the hours didn’t change – link.

A little bit of history about the Cisterns

• Excavation began in 1856, and it took 3 years to complete. 
• By 1933 the Cisterns ceased their function as a reservoir for drinking water, and they were drained in 1981.
• In 1996 they were made into an exhibition space.
• From 2001 to 2013, the Cisterns were a museum of modern glass art. 
• Today, the Cisterns are an integral part of Frederiksberg Museums. 

Read also: The Round Tower 

Some interesting facts about the Cistern

• They are 4.320 square meters and consist of three equally large rooms. 
• The height is 4.2 meters (almost 14 ft.).
• The maximum water level is 3.7 meters (12 ft.), and they can hold an unbelievable 16 million liters of water. 
• There is still water there even though the Cisterns were emptied. The water slowly seeps into the chambers from the sand bodies in Søndermarken, which are constantly filled up when it rains. 
• They are surrounded by an ice age landscape resulting from the last glacial period. 
• It feels like a cave and also partially behaves like a cave. 
• 1981 the water was completely drained.
• Now many events and exhibitions are held here. 

The Multiple Realities Exhibition

In 2022, when we visited the exhibition with the name Multiple Realities was exhibited—created by Chiharu Shiota, a Japanese-born artist. She embraces the sensual potential of the space and converts the Cisterns to a dreamlike scenery, where you get lost in deeper layers of the human psyche. There were rotating dresses, reflections, and maze-like yarn structures. It was amazing and felt like stepping into a different reality. 

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