Funded by the Carlsberg brewer Carl Jacobsen, The Royal Cast Collection was founded in 1895 and is one of the world’s largest and oldest preserved cast collections.

The Cast Collection is located in the old West Indies warehouse on the water’s edge at Toldbodgade, Copenhagen. It includes over 2,000 plaster casts as well as marble and bronze sculptures.

The collection dates from 600 BC to 1600, taking in Antiquity, The Middle Ages and The Renaissance.

The old West Indies warehouse is easily identified by the huge bronze copy of Michelangelo’s David, which stands outside facing the water. And up close, you’ll also notice plaster cast busts gazing out from the warehouse windows.

The Royal Cast Collection, Copenhagen. The image shows a copy of Michaelangelo's David and the old warehouse building. — *The Royal Cast Collection, Copenhagen*

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The Royal Cast Collection: Everything You Need To Know

Formerly housed inside the National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum For Kunst), the Royal Cast Collection was removed from display in 1966 after public complaints that they were copies, not originals.

For 18 years, the casting collection was in storage at Ledøje, 20km from Copenhagen.

When the decision was made to rehouse them in the West Indies Warehouse, the plaster casts needed extensive cleaning and repairs before being displayed again as they had been stored in less than ideal conditions. Even so, some were in better condition than the original statues.

In 1984 the plaster casts and reliefs were moved to their present location at the West Indies Warehouse, where they were restored to their former glory.

The Copenhagen Royal Cast Collection opened to the public in 1995 but closed in 2016. Since then, it has only been open for special occasions.

An off white plaster cast of a figure reading a large, heavy book

It could be a while before you have the opportunity to visit the cast collection. So take a look at my article, The Royal Cast Collection: 22 Images Of The Best Cast Sculptures, featuring the best images from the museum.

If you’re interested in the Copenhagen cast collection online, take a look at myminifactory.com where you can see 3D scans. They’re free to download, manipulate or print.

It’s also possible to have new casts made on-demand in plaster or printed by contacting Henrik Holm at HEH@smk.dk

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The West Indies Warehouse – Vestindisk Pakhus

Built in 1781 by C F Harsdorff, the West Indies Warehouse is an impressive building previously used to store rum and sugar.

The Royal Cast Collection with open arched wooden window shutters open revealing a winged figure inside — *The Royal Cast Collection – The West Indies Warehouse*

Plaster busts look out from almost every window ledge, giving the warehouse a haunted feel. The old wooden beams inside the warehouse add to the atmosphere surrounding the statues. Seeing the casts looking out is likely to make you question why this impressive collection isn’t open more often.

Because there are so many statues, casts and reliefs, they aren’t displayed as elegantly as in some museums. For example, several reliefs are stacked up against each other on the floor. And many plaster busts are housed on metal shelving.

But that adds to the appeal, just like the statues at the Lapidarium of Kings. To find out more about the Lapidarium and plan your visit, take a look at my article What Is The Lapidarium of Kings, Copenhagen?

I Am Queen Mary

The I Am Queen Mary statue, created by La Vaughn Belle and Jeannette Ehlers, has sat outside the Royal Cast Collection since 2018. Then, on 27th December 2020, a fierce storm destroyed the statue, breaking the chair and blowing off her head.

Funds have been raised to recreate the artwork in bronze.

The Casting Collection Floor Plan

On level one, you’ll find Greek and the Nordic Middle Ages plaster casts.

Level two houses Greek, Roman, Hellenistic, Egyptian, Italian and archaic style casts. It’s also home to what’s called Funerary Street.

Art from the middles ages in France and Germany are on the third level. The third level also includes tomb sculptures, Roman imperial art, Renaissance art and shelves of busts.

A white plaster cast angel looking down from the rafters in The Royal Cast Collection, Copenhagen

An old, off white, plaster cast of a horned man with a very long curly beard

The Royal Cast Collection Opening Hours

Ordinarily, the Royal Casting Collection, Den Kongelige Afstøbningssamling in Danish, is only open for special events.

But if you get the chance to visit, on one of the rare occasions it’s open to the public, seize your opportunity to see inside an iconic building and view the royal cast collection.

The Royal Cast Collection Admission Price

When the Royal Cast Collection is open to the public, there is no admission charge.

Save Money – Free Things To See And Do in Copenhagen

If you’re looking to save money while exploring Copenhagen, check out these two articles to learn about all the great activities that won’t cost you a penny! From free museums to indoor and outdoor activities, discover the many ways to enjoy the city without breaking the bank.

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Accessibility Inside The Cast Collection

Access to the first and second floors is by spiral staircase only.

There is no disabled access other than to the ground floor.

How To Get To The Royal Cast Collection

The Royal Cast Collection is within easy reach of all public transport.

The Royal Casting Collection Address

The West Indian Warehouse, Toldbodgade 40, 1253 Copenhagen.

The cast collection is just 550 metres along the waterfront from Amalienborg Palace and 900 metres from the Little Mermaid.

Visiting The Cast Collection By Public Transport

Use Rejseplanen (the link is in English) to plan your journey using public transport and find up to the minute travel times. You can also use the link for pricing and to purchase your ticket.

How To Reach The Royal Cast Collection Using The Metro

The closest metro stop to the Royal Cast Collection is Marmorkirken (The Marble Church) on Metro Line 3 or 4. Take a look at this article How To Use The Copenhagen Metro for everything you need to know about getting around using the metro.

How To Get To The Casting Collection By Harbour Bus

Nordre Toldbod is the closest harbour bus stop to the cast collection; it’s a 5 minutes walk along the waterfront.

For more information about the Harbour Bus including timetables, pricing and stops take a look at What Is The Harbour Bus, Copenhagen?

Take a look at these articles to learn more about getting around Copenhagen.

Christian IV's Brewhouse, the home of Copenhagen's Lapidarium of Kings.

Discover The Lapidarium of Kings

If you enjoyed these images of the Royal Cast Collection, take a look at Copenhagen’s Lapidarium of Kings. It’s another little-visited art museum hidden away inside Christian IV Brewhouse, housing 384 stone and plaster sculptures, some over 400 years old.

Would You Like To Visit The Cast Collection?

Take advantage of your chance to see the casts and the inside of an impressive Copenhagen landmark when you can, it’s definitely worth a look.