The Cisternerne reservoir holds approximately 16 million liters of water and was once part of Copenhagen's water supply system.
The park was redesigned in the 1850s to transition from a French-influenced Baroque garden to an English-style Romantic landscape.
The underground exhibition space maintains a constant temperature and high humidity, which dictates the type of art displayed.
The park was opened to the public in the mid-19th century by King Frederik VII.
The Norwegian House, located near the entrance, is a reconstructed building mirroring 18th-century Norwegian architecture.
Søndermarken is a 32-hectare Romantic-style landscape park in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, originally established in the 18th century as a royal hunting ground. Its most distinct feature is the Cisternerne, an underground water reservoir turned art exhibition space located beneath the park's lawn. The park features winding paths, dense wooded areas, and a grassy plateau that hosts large-scale events. It functions as a quieter, wilder neighbor to the adjacent, more manicured Frederiksberg Gardens. The park contains a monument dedicated to the Danish poet Adam Oehlenschläger. During the summer, the underground Cisternerne hosts contemporary art installations that utilize the reservoir's specific humidity and acoustics. The grounds are part of the Royal Danish Collection properties.
The glass pyramid entrances leading into the underground Cisternerne at sunset.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the temperature inside the underground Cisternerne remains cool and damp.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park features unpaved, uneven forest trails.
Visit the park's highest point for a clear view toward the neighboring Frederiksberg Palace.
Do not mistake Søndermarken for the neighboring, more structured Frederiksberg Gardens, which have different closing times and entry regulations.
The Cisternerne exhibition space is typically closed on Mondays; the park itself remains open year-round.
Keep dogs on a leash, stay on designated paths in sensitive vegetation zones, and refrain from disturbing local wildlife.
