The Circle Bridge in Copenhagen, Denmark

© Lingxiao Xie/Getty Image

Going round in circles

This striking bridge connecting areas around Copenhagen Harbour in the Danish capital, is something of a work of art which, when seen side on, gives the impression of a ship by the quay. Spanning a canal, its five interconnected circles each has its own ‘mast’, complete with steel cables threaded to the platforms. The circles vary in size and are arranged in a zig zag, designed to make the thousands of pedestrians and cyclists who use the route each day, slow down for a bit of reflection. The central section also swings back to allow boats to pass through.

The Cirkelbroen (Circle Bridge) opened in 2015 and was designed by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, known for his immersive art installations. It’s also a fitting image to mark Pi Day – when some celebrate the mathematical constant π, which can be used to calculate the area of a circle. Today’s date (written the US way) matches the number’s first digits: 3.14. As well as maths-based festivities, some people cook up a pie to celebrate the day and while it doesn’t really work as well with the Indian date format – who are we to spoil the fun?