Gothersgade runs along the original course of the Eastern Rampart of Copenhagen's former Fortification Ring. Originally called Ny Kongensgade, it was established in about 1647 after the Eastern Rampart had been taken in a more northerly direction to expand the fortified city with a large new area known as New Copenhagen. At his point the street only ran to the site of today's Nørreport Station where it met the fortifications just north-east of the North City Gate.
In 1870, after the fortifications had been decommissioned and their grounds leveled out, the street was extended to its current length.[1]
In 1892, Copenhagen's first public electricity plant, Gothersgade elektriske Centralstation, opened at the corner of Gothergade and Adelsgade. It was installed behind the existing house fronts towards Gothergade and was unusual for its central location.[2] It was later expanded and modernized several times. Since 1994, it had only served as a substation for distribution of electricity and central heating.[3]
In 1920–30 the section of Gothersgade from Rosenborg Castle Gardens to Sortedam Lake was widened. In the process, Rosenborg Barracks was shortened with two bays and the drill house from 1787 and Brøndkuranstalten in front of Rosenborg Castle were demolished. A planned widening of the section of the street closest to Kongens Nytorv was later abandoned.
The name
Copenhagen Lighting CompanyFacade detail near the Lakes
The prefix Gothers- in the street name refers to the Goths of the title King of the Goths and the Wends which was used by Danish kings from the 14th century until 1972. Vendersgade, which is Gothersgade's mirror image on the other side of Frederiksborggade, refers to the Wends of the same title.[1]
