Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen

In 1897, Otto Mønsted, a Danish entrepreneur and margarine magnate, purchased three parcels of land in Østerbro, Copenhagen and commissioned architect Vilhelm Dahlerup to design a villa on the site.[2] Dahlerup, who specialised in Italian Renaissance style design had previously designed the Hotel D’Angleterre, the Jesus Church in Valby, the National Gallery, and the 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, with gardeners creating a large garden, and 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 kroner to Countess Musse Scheel, a Danish actress, who became the last private owner of the mansion.[3] Scheel, an animal lover, who was widely regarded as being eccentric,[4] 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 which 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 kroner 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, having entered the register of the Danish Heritage Agency on 3 December 1991.[5][6]

• Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Copenhagen

• (in English, Danish, and Russian) Embassy of Russia in Copenhagen
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