Jens Olsen's World Clock

Jens Olsen’s World Clock is inside Copenhagen City Hall at Rådhuspladsen 1. This intricate astronomical clock combines 12 mechanical works and 14,448 parts, displaying local time, true solar time and planetary positions. Some parts take 25,000 years to complete a rotation. You can see the clock for free, then spend a little longer looking around the City Hall building. Guided tours in Danish, English and German add context, though the clock is a quick stop on its own.

A clock with 12 mechanical works

Jens Olsen’s World Clock is housed in Copenhagen City Hall. Its 12 works contain 14,448 parts, bringing mechanical timekeeping together with astronomical displays. The clock shows local time and true solar time, as well as planetary positions.

The parts move on very different timescales. Some take 25,000 years to complete a rotation, so the clock’s displays are designed to extend far beyond an ordinary calendar or clock face.

Seeing the clock in City Hall

The clock is a short stop inside City Hall, and admission to see it is free. Its close-set mechanical details reward a careful look. The building itself is also worth time: visitors can spend around 10 minutes walking through its interior.

City Hall runs guided tours in Danish, English and German. A tour gives you more context than a brief look at the clock alone. Check ahead before visiting, since restoration work has affected the clock’s movement.