Round Tower, Copenhagen, Denmark

Date Visited: June 5, 2017

Time Spent: 1.5 Hours

Collection: Modern Art, Library, Observatory, Skateboarder's ramp dreams

Tower climbing is always a must when travelling. Usually, such an activity requires mental preparation for many steps that get smaller and smaller, and endless spirals where you can't see the top no matter how hard you try. You could only imagine my excitement when I visited The Rundetaarn in Copenhagen. With a spiral ramp leading to the top in stead of stairs, it offers something truly unique.

While the ramp is without a doubt easier on the knees, if you want to feel that extra burn, stand up straight and work those glutes!! Brag about your active travel lifestyle on social media, because all 17th century astronomical observatories come equipped with Free WiFi nowadays. The ramp starts immediately after you pay admission, so be prepared to start right away. Admission price is also very low for Copenhagen, and in comparison to other similar monuments so take advantage of this while you're here.

Easier than stairs? Perhaps. Easy on your butt? No way

If you don't think you can climb a whole tower in one go, you're in luck. Partway up are the bathrooms, as well as an exhibition space in the old Library Hall. Modern art and design was the last thing I expected to find here, but it was a wonderful break from the climb, and you get some comic relief with the period toilet being right next to the useable one. One level above is the Bell Loft with another, small historical exhibit.

Add some culture with your culture

All along the climb, there are small windows with banks to sit and enjoy the view, and laugh at all the others bent over like they're pushing against the wind. Another fun feature are all the pamphlets set up along the ramp. Each are relevant to the certain section you're currently at, or the room you're looking in. Maybe it was the endorphins from the climbing, but I was voraciously collecting every pamphlet, hungry to learn more about this beautiful place.

Often missed by climbers bent on making it to the top is a small doorway leading to the centre of the tower. Not thinking beforehand about the actual construction of the spiral, it's surprising and yet obvious to find that the centre is completely hollow. I foolishly read the info leaflet containing the story of the young altar boy who fell down the tower through an open doorway and lived before stepping on to the glass pane. If you're afraid of heights, maybe skip this area and continue with your climb. If not, look death in the face without trying to imagine straddling the metal support crossbars you see. This point also marks Denmark's point zero. You are finally the centre of the universe, bask in it.

Denmark's Point Zero: Way too much trust went into this pane of glass

Once you finally get used to the ramp, and your butt stops screaming at you, the tower has a change of heart, and switches to stairs as you head to the lookout and Observatory. Total body workout, #AstronomerStyle. That being said, the view is definitely worth it! There are many places to climb in Copenhagen, but being in the calculated centre kind of gives you a fun experience.

That view though...

The Observatory is open only certain dates during July and August, so if you want to see that, make sure you plan accordingly. Once your muscles have recuperated, and you've taken enough selfies with the Copenhagen skyline, it's time to engage another set of muscles and make your way back down. This is when I wished for a skateboard to wreak complete havoc on that ramp. But alas, I had to be responsible.

If you're looking for something to climb that's not the over-visited, over-priced, but amazingly beautiful Church of Our Saviour, then put this tower on the top of your Copenhagen list.