Cisterns in Søndermarken — Attraction in Frederiksberg Municipality

This was my third time visiting Cisternerne over the last 5 years, and I am equally impressed every time 🤩

The place has a very unique atmosphere, which is a mixture of: the cool, damp air; the architecture consisting of the many pillars standing in the water, casting their own reflections in a almost mystical way; the way sound carries through the place, echoing in an amazing way; and the placement of the place itself, laying underneath a beautiful park, which makes the transition going form one to the other feel like such a stark contrast, in the best way possible 💜

The three exhibitions have all been very different, which has been such a delight to experience every time I have been there. One was a architectural kinda art installation made by a Japanese artist, who put moss everywhere, making the walk feel magical and peaceful; the second was about the “end of the world” because of climate change, and you walked through the water in wellies, seeing places flooded over and abandoned; and the third one was a sound installation with recordings of professional mourners from (I think it was) four different cultures, who sing/chant/wail to grief the dead.

All exhibitions so far have been absolutely brilliant, and I am looking very much forward to the next time I will go 😍 and I recommend wholeheartedly that everyone else who has the time, go and experience this place to, whatever the exhibition might be, when you read...

A Hidden Gem Beneath the Park – JAKOB KUDSK STEENSEN: PSYCHOSPHERE

The Cisterns in Søndermarken is an unforgettable and otherworldly art space nestled beneath one of Copenhagen’s most peaceful parks. This former water reservoir, with its cool, damp air and echoing darkness, is the perfect setting for immersive art—and the current exhibition, "Psychosphere" by Jakob Kudsk Steensen, makes full use of the space’s unique atmosphere.

Steensen’s installation is both mesmerizing and meditative. With a combination of light projections, soundscapes, and slow-moving digital imagery inspired by underground fungi networks and ecological systems, “Psychosphere” immerses visitors in a surreal, living environment. The boundaries between nature, technology, and consciousness feel blurred as you wander slowly through the dimly lit chambers, guided only by subtle light and ambient sound.

The contrast between the lush Søndermarken park above and the mysterious, subterranean world below adds another layer of magic. The staff were friendly and informative, helping us understand the inspiration behind the work before descending into the darkness.

This is not a typical museum visit—it’s a sensory and emotional journey through sight, sound, and imagination. Highly recommended for those looking to experience contemporary art in a truly extraordinary setting. Bring good shoes and a jacket—it's cool and...

This is such a brilliant space for exhibitions and events, particularly for those interested in subterrain systems or historical spaces. It really makes a change from hosting art instillations in a gallery or outside on the lawn. Far from boring or conventional, the cisterns utilise all its quirks and interesting features to enhance any performance given in the space.

I visited during the 'In is the only way out' exhibition and complete with the formation of newly developing stalactites and stalagmites it really made the atmosphere eerie and enhanced the feeling of discovery and tension. My friend and I thoughrally enjoyed exploring the cave with all its surprises like the fire wall and mirrors in the dark. One section we particularly liked was a room filled with an interactive piece that involved running around clanging metallic spheres into bowls creating loud echoing gong like noises that reverberated off the walls. I hope the cisterns continues to make an excellent venue for art instillations.

That happened to be our last day visiting Denmark and so we decided to check it out, it's easily completed within a couple of hours. I would recommend it for school trips, students or tourists with a few hours to spare in the area. It is located in the middle of a park with lovely surrounding scenery, so that in itself is...