Located in the heart of Copenhagen lies the beautiful and historic Kartoffelrækkerne district, also known as Potato Row. This picturesque neighborhood is made up of 480 houses, each with its own uniquely designed facade, intricate architecture, and colorful flower gardens.
The History of Potato Row
The district was first established in the mid-19th century as a housing area for the city’s working-class population. The houses in the neighborhood were designed by architects who were inspired by the Georgian style of architecture popular in Britain at the time. The architects sought to create a space that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the residents.
The result was a series of houses that were uniform in size with a consistent, elegant design. The district was originally built to provide decent housing for Copenhagen’s blue-collar workers, who desperately needed affordable homes. These houses were initially rented out by the city’s public housing administration to workers who could not afford to live elsewhere.
Over the years, the district has undergone multiple renovations and revitalizations. While the original design of the houses has been preserved and maintained, modern upgrades such as electricity and indoor plumbing have been installed to bring the homes to the current era’s standards. Today, the district remains one of Copenhagen’s most sought-after residential areas, with its homes worth a fortune.
Unique Architecture and Design
The houses come in two sizes, with the larger ones at the ends of the rows and the smaller ones towards the middle. The biggest houses have 5-6 rooms, while the smaller houses have 3-4 rooms. The roofs are mostly pitched with red tiles, chimneys with pots, and attic windows that tell a lot about the history of the houses.
One of the most striking features of the Potato Row is its architectural design. The facades of the houses incorporate various historical styles and influences, such as Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassicism. The houses are built in rows, with each row connected at the back by courtyards, creating a sense of community within the neighborhood.
Life in Potato Row
Residents in Potato Row enjoy a peaceful and quiet neighborhood that is within walking distance to the city center. The district boasts of parks, bicycle lanes and is surrounded by canals that give it a serene atmosphere. The communal courtyard areas of the houses are beautifully kept, with many gardens, shrubs, and plants. It’s no wonder why the district is regarded as an oasis of calm within the bustling city of Copenhagen.