Scandinavia's largest library consists of two very distinct parts: the original, 19th-century red-brick building and the head-turning 'Black Diamond' extension, the latter a leaning parallelogram of sleek black granite and smoke-coloured glass. From the soaring, harbour-fronting atrium, an escalator leads up to a 210-sq-metre ceiling mural by celebrated Danish artist Per Kirkeby. Beyond it, at the end of the corridor, is the 'old library' and its Hogwarts-like northern Reading Room, resplendent with vintage desk lamps and classical columns.
Aside from housing a complete collection of all Danish printed works produced since 1482, Denmark's national library also hosts fascinating, temporary art, photography and history exhibitions. It's also home to decent cafe Øieblikket and modern Danish restaurant Søren K .
