COPENHAGEN FIRE
Børsen fire: When was the Copenhagen stock exchange built and what material was it made of?
The Copenhagen Stock Exchange building, which has stood for centuries, caught fire on Tuesday morning. Here’s what you need to know about the historic building.
Early on Tuesday morning, the Børsen, Copenhagen’s stock exchange, caught fire, reminding many in the city and spectators online of the 2019 Notre Dame fire in Paris. The two buildings have some key features in common, namely their age. The Børsen, constructed between 1619 and 1640, is newer than the French cathedral, but because of its age, reconstructing the building presents unique challenges. The materials used to build the Børsen are difficult to come by four hundred years after its initial construction.
What is the Børsen made from?
According to videos of the fire circulating, one of the building’s most affected parts is its iconic spire, which has become a feature of the Danish capital’s skyline. Sadly, around 8:30 am local time, the spire, made from intertwining four dragon tails, collapsed. While the building is made of red brick, the spire, which stands at 140 feet, features three golden crowns above the tails, representing the short-lived union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
The building, which is located in the heart of Copenhagen, is made from red brick, which has given it its iconic look. The roof was originally made from lead, but according to Visit Copenhagen, “during the Swedish occupation of Copenhagen 1658-59, much of this lead was removed to produce cannon balls, and the holes in the roof were only partly covered with tin and tile.”
The exact material used to build the spire is unknown, but many speculate that like Notre Dame, it was carved from wood and coated in lead.