What does Copenhagen sound like? And how has the city's sound evolved over time?
You can learn about this—and much more—at the Museum of Copenhagen's special exhibition THE SOUND OF COPENHAGEN – Noise, Voices, and Silence, on display from May 16, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Through a series of objects and sound installations, you can explore the soundscape of Copenhagen during the transition from the Golden Age to modernity (1800–1920).
At the beginning of this period, the city was a cramped fortress town, but by the end, it had developed into an industrialized, vibrant metropolis. Over the course of the era, Copenhagen quadrupled in size, and its citizens became increasingly aware of sound and noise. Traditionally, Copenhageners complained about street cries, the rumble of carriages, church bells, and the cracks of coachmen’s whips. With industrialization, the sounds of construction, factory whistles, trams, city hall bells, and rush hour were added to the urban soundscape.
At the beginning of this period, the city was a cramped fortress town, but by the end, it had developed into an industrialized, vibrant metropolis. Over the course of the era, Copenhagen quadrupled in size, and its citizens became increasingly aware of sound and noise. Traditionally, Copenhageners complained about street cries, the rumble of carriages, church bells, and the cracks of coachmen’s whips. With industrialization, the sounds of construction, factory whistles, trams, city hall bells, and rush hour were added to the urban soundscape.
Source: Museum of Copenhagen