Embassy of Russia, Copenhagen

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Embassy of the Russian Federation in Copenhagen
Посольство Российской Федерации в Копенгагене
Den russiske føderations ambassade i København
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Address: Kristianiagade 5[1]
Ambassador: Teymuraz Ramishvili

The Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen is the embassy of Russia to Denmark. The embassy building is located at Kristianiagade 5 in Indre Østerbro, Copenhagen. The building is heritage listed.

History of the chancery[change | change source]

In 1897, Otto Mønsted, a Danish businessman and margarine magnate, purchased three pieces of land in Østerbro, Copenhagen and hired architect Vilhelm Dahlerup to design a villa.[2] Dahlerup, who specialised in Italian Renaissance style design had previously designed the Hotel D’Angleterre, Jesus Church in Valby, National Gallery, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, amongst others.[3] Completed in 1899, the building of the mansion cost Mønsted half a million krone.[3]

The entrance was decorated with a monogram with the initials AOM (for Anna-Otto-Mønsted). The Mønsteds kept a large staff in their mansion. Gardeners creating a large garden. In the garage Mønsted kept Copenhagen's most expensive car. The Mønsteds also bred Scottish hunting dogs and kept race horses in the barn.[2]

In 1934 Anna Mønsted sold the mansion for 265,000 krone to Countess Musse Scheel. Scheel was a Danish actress and became the last private owner of the mansion.[3] Scheel was an animal lover and was regarded as being eccentric.[4] Scheel kept a hen house in the yard and sold eggs to her neighbours.[3]

During the occupation of Denmark by Nazi Germany the mansion was the headquarters of the Northern Society. The Northern Society promoted cultural co-operation between Nazi Germany and the Nordic countries.[3]

In 1950, the Soviet Union signed a contract leasing the mansion for 20,000 krone per year. In 1982, the mansion, as well as Kristianiagade 3 (consulate) and Bergensgade 11 (embassy school), were granted to the Soviets, on the basis of reciprocity, free of charge for the purpose of embassy requirements for a period of 70 years, until 31 December 2051.[3]

The building and garage are heritage listed buildings. The both were placed on the register of the Heritage Agency of Denmark on 3 December 1991.[5][6]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Diplomatic missions" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). p. 157. Retrieved 2009-10-08.[permanent dead link]
  2. 2.0 2.1 (in Danish) "Otto Mønsteds Fond 75 års jubilæum". Copenhagen: Otto Mønsteds Fond. 2009. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 2009-10-08.[permanent dead link]
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "History of the building of the Russian Embassy in Denmark". Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  4. (in Danish) "Musse Scheel". Dansk film database. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  5. (in Danish) "Bygning: Kristianiagade 5". Heritage Agency of Denmark. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  6. (in Danish) "Bygning: Kristianiagade 5". Heritage Agency of Denmark. Retrieved 2009-10-08.

Other websites[change | change source]