eat style oughout enturies - Copenhagen Tourist

Copenhagen 

To u r i s t 

Explore 


Sights & 

Attractions 

Shopping & 

Dining 

Museums & 

Collections 

Tourist Information 

& Maps 

FREE COPY 

2012-2013


Exploring Copenhagen 

From cargo bikes to pocket parks and canal kayaking 

One of the world’s most liveable cities, Copen hagen lets you 

explore its neighbourhoods by waterbus, kayak and bicycle. 

And already famed for its romantic parklands, the city now 

adds new activity parks to its green credentials 

Whether you arrive from the airport by the 

sleek fully-automated metro, dock in the 

historic harbour by cruise liner, or roll into 

town on the superbridge from Sweden, one 

thing is almost sure to strike you – the smooth 

ease with which you move about the Danish 

capital. and no matter how you explore the 

city – by waterbus, kayak or bicycle – you 

are sure to enjoy the city’s easygoing quality 

of life. a youthful city, Copenhagen is home 

to many young families who cart their 

children around in cargo bikes – in fact, more 

than 55 percent of citizens use their bicycle 

18 cph-tourist.dk 

daily. With affordable day-care and plenty of 

green space and community amenities, 

Copenhagen is designed for family life. 

living by The sea 

a celebrated design capital, Copenhagen 

lends its old-world charm to modern living. 

new urban icons have emerged across town, 

not least along the harbourfront. Designed as 

temples to the arts, they also offer foyer 

restaurants and cafés, such as at the Royal 

Danish playhouse, the opera house and the 

Black Diamond. 

Copenhagen has always 

had one foot in the sea 

– and now even more so. 

new urban docklands 

have been created in 

Sluseholmen where many 

residents can board their 

kayaks directly from their living 

room. You can explore these 

districts on guided sea kayak 

tours or visit by waterbus (no 904 from 

nyhavn). and you can cruise the city’s old 

canals by tour boats. In the Copenhagen 

harbour itself public baths let swimmers dip 

into the clean waters – or play water polo – 

at several locations, including Islands Brygge. 

Canal tours www.canaltours.dk 

Guided kayak tours www.kajakole.dk 

Guided bicycle tours www.cykelsafari.dk 

Guided running tours 

www.running-copenhagen.dk 

Jazz in Nyhavn. 

Amager Strand www.amagerstrand.dk

The city has also invested in a five-kilometre 

manmade sandy beach, amager Strand, 

complete with water sports such as kite 

surfing – just seven minutes from downtown 

by metro. 

opening in September 2012 is Copenhagen’s 

new floating fish market by the new harbour 

promenade along havnegade, close to 

nyhavn Canal. The covered fish market will 

also feature a panoramic café. 

designer green spaces 

a green city, Copenhagen’s many leafy parks 

have each their own character and life. Family 

birthday parties, open-air concerts – even 

weddings – are a part of the experience. Just 

a few hundred meters apart, several of the 

city’s grand urban parks are located on 

what used to be the city’s old medieval 

ramparts. Copenhagen has recently vowed 

to give residents no more than 15 minutes’ 

walk to the nearest green space. pocket 

parks are popping up citywide. one of the 

city’s most popular parks for ballgames and 

open-air concerts, Fælledparken has recently 

H. C. Ørstedsparken - on of Copenhagen’s most popular green parks. 

trans formed into an activity park. and 

Super kilen, a new global park designed by 

Copenhagen practice BIg (see page 49), is 

set to open in 2012, featuring trees and park 

furniture sourced from around the world. 

Market places and sports activity zones add 

to the park’s urban liveability. 

The urban village in Nørrebro. 

Three greaT ways To 

discover copenhagen 

copenhagen 

– for urban explorers 

explore Copenhagen’s canals and waterways 

by kayak. Visit the new covered 

food market, Torvehallerne, the 

Danish Architecture Centre and 

Designmuseum Denmark. Ride 

through the Dyrehaven deer park on 

bicycles. and discover the city’s urban 

villages in Christiania and Nørrebro. 

copenhagen 

– for families 

Climb the corkscrew stairway of the 

golden spire of Our Saviour’s Church – 

or the winding walkway of the Round 

Tower. Visit the new arctic habitat in 

Copen hagen Zoo opening in the 

autumn 2012! go to Nyhavn Canal and 

hop aboard a tour boat. Spend a day in 

Tivoli – a truly magical amusement park. 

copenhagen 

– The good life 

Visit the home of designer Finn Juhl 

at the Ordrupgaard Museum, or the 

world-famous Louisiana Museum of 

Modern Art. Discover royal attrac tions 

such as Kronborg Castle, the setting of 

Shakespeare’s Hamlet – or Rosenborg 

Castle, home of the Crown Jewels. 

enjoy jazz and nordic gourmet cuisine 

in Tivoli. 

cph-tourist.dk 

Copenhagen 19


Strøget One mile of 

shopping and history 

Copenhagen’s main shopping street is more than a retail runway. 

It’s also a place of history with architectural gems and inspiring 

wonders 

The world’s first pedestrian street! That was 

Copenhagen’s boast back in 1962 when the 

city introduced the then-novel notion of 

car-free shopping. and in 2012 the street 

celebrates its 50th anniversary on 1 Sep- 


tember. Cities all around the world have since 

copied the idea but Strøget – literally “The 

Sweep” – is still one of the most varied and 

historically interesting. each section has its 

own character and indeed its own name. 

reTail royalTy 

at the Kongens Nytorv entrance to Strøget 

you find Østergade with its department 

stores and international luxury wear 

boutiques. Østergade opens onto one of 

Copenhagen’s most picturesque squares, 

Amagertorv. and here the first thing you 

should do is look down! The intricate 

multicoloured granite paving is designed 

by one of Denmark’s leading contemporary 

artists, Bjørn nørgaard, who drew inspiration 

from arabian geometric patterns. Then look 

left for a perfect view to Christiansborg 

Palace, the Danish parliament (see page 36). 

Surprisingly, the axe-wielding warrior you 

see on the rearing equestrian statue is a 

clergyman! namely, Bishop Absalon (1128- 

1201) – a man of hot royal blood and 

determination who founded the city in 1167. 

Facing the square is one of the city’s oldest 

houses, built in Dutch Renaissance style 

in 1606. Today, the building is home to the 

flagship store of one of europe’s finest 

porcelain manufacturers, Royal Copenhagen. 

Flanking the building is the showcase store 

of Danish silverware legend georg Jensen 

and exclusive design hive Illums Bolighus. 

romanTically eclecTic 

You might hear celestial organ music as 

you pass the Church of the Holy Spirit 

(helligåndskirken) on the next leg of Strøget, 

called Vimmelskaftet. Daily concerts are 

given in the seventeenth-century church. The 

The sTork founTain 

The amagertorv fountain with storks 

taking to their wings and water-spewing 

toads hasn’t always been a romantic 

gathering place. Designed by one of 

Denmark’s most renowned sculptors, 

Vilhelm Bissen (1836-1913), the fountain 

was unveiled in 1888 – much to the 

annoyance of many townspeople and 

press critics, who found it ill-placed and 

hideous. Scuffles broke out and the police 

was called in to dampen tempers.

The cariTas founTain 

The centrepiece of one of Copenhagen’s 

oldest squares, gammeltorv, is a renaissance 

fountain (1608) symbolising charity 

(Caritas). The small group of figures shows 

the embodiment of charity with water 

spewing from her breasts and her two 

children, one of which, a little boy, is 

piddling into the fountain, much as the 

Manneken pis of Brussels. on the Queen’s 

birthday (16 april) and other state 

occasions three golden globes are added 

to dance atop the water jets. 

10% discount 

shrunkEn hEads, scarEs and laughs and fairytalEs 

Rådhuspladsen 57 (City hall Square) 

visiT The funniesT 

hOuses in TOwn 

Exciting world rEcords, scarEs and laughs 

Østergade 16 (The walking street) 

Map page 22 2 

Map page 22 3 

Opening hOurs: frOm 10:00 am every day 

TelephOne: +45 33 32 31 31 · www.ripleys.dk · infO@TOpaTTracTiOns.dk cph-tourist.dk 



street opens onto one of the city’s most 

historic squares, each section with its own 

name. To the left, Nytorv (new Market), 

which was created when the city’s old town 

hall was reduced to ashes in 1728, and to 

the right Gammeltorv (old Market), which 

has been a market square for some 800 

years. Design buffs may like to know that 

the modernist corner building on the square 

was designed by arne Jacobsen (see page 

48). Facing nytorv is the neoclassical city 

magistrate, designed by the very same 

architect, C. F. hansen (1756-1845), who 

rebuilt the fire-ravaged Church of Our Lady 

(Vor Frue Kirke) nearby (see page 27). In the 

middle of nytorv you see a granite plinth 

marking where the city’s gallows once stood. 

The last stretch of Strøget – Frederiksberggade 

– takes you to Copenhagen’s City Hall 

Square with its romantically eclectic city 

hall (1905) designed by Martin nyrop (1849- 

1921). Like several of the buildings facing 


2 

15 

the square, not least the palace hotel (1909), 

this particularly Danish flavour of the 

“national Romance” style draws on fluid 

elements of art nouveau. Visit the City hall 

and its mechanical wonder – the world 

clock by Jens olsen. 

museums along The way 

– for The whole family 

on Strøget and the Copenhagen City 

hall Square you’ll find four museums with 

a difference: Guinness World of Records 

with records in sport, art, music, nature 

and science. The Mystic Exploratorie – a 

world of strange phenomena. Hans 

Christian Andersen’s Wonderful World 

– his fairytales with exciting light and 

sound effects. and finally Ripley’s Believe 

It or not! – you have to see it to believe it. 

www.ripleys.dk 

7 

4 

16 

14 

13 

8 

1 

17 

11 

12 

5 

10 

3 

6

Pixies 

Posters 

Music 

Christmas cards 

Paper cutouts 

- in the heart of Copenhagen 

Danish Art & Christmas Shop 

Danish designed and traditional handmade 

Christmas-ornaments and paper cuts for all seasons 

Knabrostræde 3, 1210 Copenhagen K | www.danishshop.dk | phone (+45) 33 32 31 61 

Map page 22 4 





ExpEriEncE all

of Tivoli GardEns 

Seasons in Tivoli 

There is always something going 

on in the Tivoli Gardens. 

Summer 12 Apr. - 23 Sep. 

Halloween 12 Oct. - 28 Oct. 

Christmas 16 Nov. - 30 Dec. 

Nimb 

Nimb is a gastronomic palace of 

unprecedented dimensions and also 

has a hotel within the heart of Tivoli 

Gardens. 

Restaurants 

Tivoli Gardens has enough 

restaurants to cater every taste – 

whether you prefer modern cuisine, 

traditional Danish food, fast food 

or our high-end restaurants. 

Entertainment 

Tivoli Gardens has a large variety 

of venues, rides, and amusements. 

The Tivoli Gardens has 

something for all ages and sizes. 

www.TivoliGardEns.com 

Map page 135 1 




The Copenhagen Soho 

From urban chic to Latin Quarter charm 

A warm blend of designer chic, old-world charm and universityzone 

cafés, the Copenhagen Soho between Kongens Nytorv and 

the Latin Quarter is a patchwork of urban villages and boutique 

buzz 


Kronprinsensgade. 

The busy pedestrianised high street, Købmagergade. 

Mile-long Strøget is the undisputed shop - 

ping mecca of Copenhagen, but the narrow 

streets leading off the high street beckon 

you away from the bustle to revel in their 

unique, inviting atmosphere. Take Pistolstræde, 

a quaint pistol-shaped street and 

courtyard just off ny Østergade, where you 

can savour the cuisine and the old world 

charm of Restaurant l’Alsace. Mere steps 

from the Kongens nytorv metro station, 

pistol stræde is a hidden gem with an 

entrancing mix of restaurants, chocolatiers, 

exclusive Danish woollens, and a sprinkling 

of designer hives. Move on to historic 

grønnegade, once a long-ago garden edging 

the old city ramparts. There, chic shoe shops 

and other speciality boutiques vie for 

shoppers’ attention. Then there’s the universe 

of Contrast on Hovedvagtsgade, where 

you will find the best of kitchenware and 

design. and on nearby Ny Østergade, don’t 

miss the magnificent ole Lynggaard flagship 

store for luxury jewellery. 

hip urban village 

nearby, the Pilestræde/Kronprinsensgade 

area lures shoppers to its buzzy blend of 

flagship stores, design showcases and 

hipster hangouts. home to one of Denmark’s 

best-known dailies, Berlingske, this part of 

town caters to young professionals and 

creative urbanites alike. one-time journalist 

dive bars are now hives of design and the 

urban village of Kronprinsensgade is a 

treasure trove of classic cafés and youthful 

Danish design. 

a Tiny germany 

Don’t miss the historic Skt. Petri Church 

in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Much of 

the original design dates back to the 

fifteenth and sixteenth century, although 

the Rococo spire from 1757 only miraculously 

survived the bombardment of the 

city in 1807 by the British navy. Indeed, 

several of the cannonballs that struck the 

church hang today in chains from its 

vaulted ceilings. The church has served the 

german Lutheran community in Copenhagen 

since 1585 and its tranquil churchyard 

gardens are today used as a playground 

for the next-door kindergarten. 

Visitors are welcome to the church and a 

tour of the galleries with their tombs and 

epitaphs to many local german dignitaries 

is recommended. 

www.sankt-petri.dk

neighbouring Købmagergade, once lined 

with butcher shops, is now a pedestrianised 

high street. The meaty legacy continues at 

the nørreport end, where two butcher shops 

still ply their trade. on your way, stop in at the 

impressive Round Tower (see page 28), 

originally built as an observatory. peter the 

great once rode a horse up the winding 

corridor to the top – but you‘ll have to walk! 

Weary shoppers can opt for the elevator at 

the nearby Post & Tele Museum (see page 

107), whose restaurant has a terrace with 

splendid cityscape views. 

soaking up The sTudenT vibe 

The Latin Quarter takes in the area around 

the old university and cathedral. Drop into 

paludan’s bookshop on Fiolstræde for the 

studenty atmosphere and a frothy latte, 

then turn on Frue plads to visit the Church 

of Our Lady and native son Thorvaldsen’s 

statues of a very nordic-looking Jesus and his 

12 disciples. The neoclassical church was 

erected on the ruins of the gothic cathedral 

destroyed by the British during the Battle of 

Copenhagen in 1807. Don’t miss the 

splendidly boxy Gråbrødretorv – named 

after the black friar’s abbey that once stood 

there. Today, the square is ringed with lively 

restaurants offering outdoor seating nearly 

year-round. Feeling funky? head down Skt 

Pederstræde and Larsbjørnsstræde for a 

grungy mosaic of music stores, organic 

eateries and edgy boutiques. 

Hovedvagtsgade 6 

1103 Cph. K +45 33 33 04 

www.contrast-is.dk 

mail: contrast@contrast-is.dk 

�� 

� 

� 

� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

� 

�� 

� 

�� 

� 

� � � � � 

Sweets from Sømods 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� always brings happiness 

�� 

�� 

�� 

� to young and old 

Sweets from Sømods are synonymous 

with Danish quality without any 

artificial additives. Come and watch 

as the sweets are made. 

Sømods Bolcher 

Nørregade 36 and 24 • 1165 Copenhagen K 

Tel.: 3312 6046 • Email: bolcher@soemod.dk 

Opening hours and further information on 

www.soemods-bolcher.dk 

Map page 22 5 Map page 22 6 Map page 135 40 

C 

O NTRAST 

The cosy Store Kannikestræde. 




You You can can spot spot most most of Copenhagen’s of Copenhagen’s famous buildings famous from buildings the platform from that the runs platform around that the Round runs Tower. around the Round Tower. 

The Round Tower – Rundetaarn 

The Round ToweR 

Lookout Tower Tower – – Observatory – Exhibitions – Exhibitions – Concerts – Concerts 

One 

One of 

of 

the 

the 

best-known 

bestknown 

and most 

and most 

popular 

popular 

structures 

structures 

in Denmark, the Round Tower has been a distinctive feature of the Copenhagen skyline 

up the tower is the entrance to the large and stunningly beautiful 

since 1642. 

in Denmark, the Round Tower has been a distinctive Library hall, which now serves as a popular gallery and concert venue. 

The Tower once soared far above the rest of the rooftops in the city, and University astronomers studied the stars and planets from the 

feature of the Copenhagen skyline since 1642. 

It hosts several exhibitions and concerts a year. 

Observatory at the top. Today visitors are still able to gaze at the cosmos from Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. The platform that 

The runs Tower around once the soared outside far of above the Observatory the rest of the affords rooftops views in the over city, the old above Latin the Quarter Library – is from the here, Bell Loft, you notable can spot for most its enormous of the city’s wooden famous 

and buildings. University astronomers studied the stars and planets from beams, which were used in the reconstruction of the Tower following 

the The observatory Round Tower at does the top. not Today have an visitors elevator, are still so able visitors to have gaze at to climb the the great winding, fire of white-washed Copen hagen in Spiral 1728. The Walk, Loft where is also kids home often to a small hide in 

the niches, cosmos only from to europe’s jump out oldest shouting functioning “boo!” as observatory. adults approach. The Halfway exhibition up the of tower fascinating is the artefacts entrance from to the Tower’s large history. and stunningly beautiful 

platform Library Hall, that runs which around now the serves outside as a of popular the observatory gallery and affords concert views venue. It hosts several exhibitions and concerts a year. 

over Above the the old Library Latin Quarter is the Bell – from Loft, here, notable you for can its spot enormous most of wooden the beams, The Round which Tower were was used built in by the Christian reconstruction IV between of 1637 the Tower and 1642. following It 

city’s 

the great 

famous 

fire 

buildings. 

of Copenhagen in 1728. The Loft is also home to a small 

was 

exhibition 

the first part 

of fascinating 

of the Trinitatis 

artefacts 

Complex, 

from 

which 

the Tower’s 

combined 

history. 

church, 

library and observatory in a single building. 

The The Round Tower Tower does was built not by have Christian an elevator, IV between so visitors 1637 have and to 1642. climb It was the first part of the Trinitatis Complex, which combined church, library and obser- 

the vatory winding, in a single white-washed building. Spiral Walk, where kids often hide in the Conducted tours of the Round Tower – special events for companies. 

niches, only to jump out shouting “boo!” as adults approach. halfway For further information, please refer to: www.rundetaarn.dk 

Conducted tours of the Round Tower – special events for companies. 


For further information, please refer to: www.rundetaarn.dk 

Photo: Ron Graybill

The Spiral Walk winds seven and a half times 

around the hollow core of the tower and is quite 

unique in European architecture. 

The Library Hall served as a gallery and 

concert venue since 1987. 

It was once the home (1657-1861) of the 

entire University book collection and housed 

approximately 10.000 books. 

The The Round Round Towers Towers shop shop and café and are café located are located in the Library in the in Library the middle in the of the middle tower. of the tower. 



around the hollow core of the tower and is quite The 

concert 

Library 

venue 

Hall served 

since 

as 

1987. 

a gallery and concert venue 

since 1987. 

The unique Spiral in Walk European winds seven architecture. and a half times around the It 

It 

was 

was 

once 

once 

the 

the 

home 

home (1657-1861) 

(1657-1861) of 

of 

the 

the 

entire 

hollow core of the tower and is quite unique in European University entire University book collection book collection and housed and approximately housed 

architecture. 

10.000 approximately books. 10.000 books. 

The Round Towers shop and café are located in the Library in the middle of the tower. 


around the hollow core of the tower and is quite 

unique in European architecture. 


concert venue since 1987. 

It was once the home (1657-1861) of the 

The 

Round ToweR 

magnificenT view oveR 

The old ciTy 

The oldesT funcTioning 

obseRvaToRy in euRope 

exhibiTions 

conceRTs 

The 

Round ToweR 

magnificenT view oveR 

The old ciTy 

The oldesT funcTioning 

obseRvaToRy in euRope 

exhibiTions 

conceRTs 





Rosenborg Castle & 

The King’s Garden 

Rosenborg Slot & Kongens Have 

A royal hermitage set in leafy gardens in the heart of Copenhagen, 

Rosenborg Castle features 400 years of epoch interiors, royal 

collections and the nation’s well-guarded Crown Jewels and Royal 

Regalia 

Rosenborg Castle was constructed in 1606 

by Christian IV (1577-1648) as a small summer 

hermitage surrounded by fields and 


farms. originally a two-storied building with 

a modest tower, Rosenborg was developed 

in 1624 into the Dutch Renaissance castle 

we know today. Rosenborg is home to 

the Royal Danish Collections with objects 

related to 400 years of royal rule, from 

Christian IV to Frederik VII. In the vaulted 

cellars you find the Royal Treasury and the 

well-guarded Crown Jewels and Royal 

Regalia. 

Christian IV (1577-1648) was very fond 

of Rosenborg Castle and much preferred 

staying there to the far larger Frederiksborg 

Castle in hillerød (see page 72), which he 

had also built. In 1648 at the age of 70, his 

dying wish was to be taken by sleigh in the 

dark of winter from Frederiksborg Castle to 

Rosenborg Castle, which had provided the 

setting for so many years of his life. Later 

kings have also left their mark on Rosenborg. 

Christian IV’s son, Frederik III (1609-1670) 

and Queen Sophie amalie modernised the 

rooms, and their son, Christian V (1646-99) 

had the entire banqueting hall covered with 

12 tapestries commemorating the Scanian 

War against Sweden (1675-79). 

however, King Frederik IV (1671-1730) was 

the monarch who set to work most eagerly 

of all on modernising the castle, and slowly 

the Renaissance style gave way to Baroque. 

The king visited Italy several times, bringing 

home valuable gifts such as his famous 

collection of Venetian glass. 

Rosenborg nonetheless soon became too 

small for the splendour-loving king and he 

relocated to the newly built Frederiksberg 

Castle. Rosenborg Rosenborg Slot was Outline_05.qxp never again used as 21-03 

Map page 135 4

a royal residence and in 1833 it became the 

showcase setting for the Royal Danish 

Collections. 

The royal danish collecTions 

– and The crown Jewels 

The Danish Crown Jewels are kept in special 

vaults with access from the Rosenborg 

basement. The first Crown Regalia were 

placed at the castle during the reign of 

Christian V. Later, Queen Consort Sophie 

Magdalene, married to King Christian VI 

(1699-1746), bequeathed her jewels and 

regalia to the collection and since then 

the Crown Jewels have seen new additions to 

the collections, most recently in 1840. 

even today the jewels are still worn by 

Denmark’s present monarch, Queen 

Margrethe II, at state functions. 

The Royal Danish Collections also include 

the royal baptismal font and basin as well as 

a water pitcher and two candlesticks – all of 

pure gold. Since 1671, the christening basin 

has been used for the christening of all royal 

Queen Louise’s private chambers at the Amalienborg Museum. 

infants – most recently in april 2011, when 

the twins, prince Vincent and princess 

Josephine (youngest son and daughter of 

Crown prince Frederik and Crown princess 

Mary) were christened in holmens Kirke 

(Church) in Copenhagen. 

amalienborg palace in the chambers of 

Christian VIII. The Royal Collections are 

divided according to the royal dynasty 

to which they belong. Collections of the 

house of oldenborg, i.e. older than 1863, 

are displayed at Rosenborg whereas the 

million visitors a year who enjoy the free 

open-air jazz and the puppet theatre. 

and there are cafés and eateries by the 

rhododendrons and rose gardens. 

The amalienborg museum 

later collections of the house of glücksborg 

In 1994, the Royal Danish Collections at 

are showcased at amalienborg palace. 

Rosenborg Amalienborg Castle Outline_05.qxp opened a department 21-03-20 at 

The amalienborg Museum houses permanent 

exhibitions covering the period 

1863-1972 and also features special 

exhibitions with relation to the Danish Royal 

Family. 

Amalienborg Museum 

The Mansion of Christian VIII 


Opening hours: See page 114 & 119. 

The king’s garden 

The Rosenborg Castle gardens – commonly 

known as Kongens have (The King’s garden) 

– were laid out in 1606 when the castle 

was first built. Today, the romantic gardens 

are a popular oasis. The park has three 




Strædet and Nikolaj Plads 

Winding down in Copenhagen 

Twinned with Copenhagen’s main shopping drag, Strøget, is a 

unique parallel street called Strædet, which offers an inspired 

sense of slow-living 

In Strædet high street hustle and bustle gives 

way to a world of contemporary art spaces, 

sidewalk cafés, and one-off boutiques. 

musical deTour 

as you reach the end of the first section of 

Strædet, called Lavendelstræde, take a short 

detour down history lane in Magstræde, a 

cobbled street with some of the city’s oldest 

half-timber homes. numbers 17-19 date back 

to the 1700s, and Italian composer giuseppe 

Sarti lived in no. 10 from 1773-75. Imagine 

one of his pianoforte sonatas as you head 

up Knabrostræde to join the next leg of 


Strædet called Kompagnistræde. here you’ll 

find one of Copenhagen’s swinging legends, 

the La Fontaine jazz club. 

conTemporary arT 

Converging with Strøget, the last leg of 

Strædet is called Læderstræde. here you find 

the current entrance to one of the city’s 

contemporary art spaces, Kunstforeningen 

Gammel Strand. For further artistic 

inspiration continue across amagertorv to 

Nikolaj Plads where the converted church 

dating back to the 1200s is home to the 

Nikolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art 

Centre (see page 100). The square also offers 

shady, out-of-the-way cafés. 

seafood and secreTs 

If you’ve worked up a princely appetite you 

might want to visit the Michelin-rated 

gourmet restaurant Kong Hans Kælder on 

Vingaardstræde. Then head to holmens Canal 

in the direction of gammel Strand. here, 

you’ll enjoy a magnificent view not only of 

the spires and copper roofs of Slotsholmen 

(see page 36) but also of the merchant 

townhouses that face them all the way along 

Gammel Strand. This is the oldest part of 

Copenhagen, the original coastline where 

fishermen for centuries landed their bounty. 

Map page 135 9

Copenhagen for kids 

A great city for families to explore and discover, Copenhagen has 

much to offer – not least for children 

Relax along the Nyhavn canal. 

Fun, educational, inspiring – Copenhagen’s 

attractions are great places for kids. art 

museums such as Louisiana and the national 

gallery of Denmark feature creative spaces 

for budding young artists. The national 

Museum of Denmark has a children’s play 

zone with hands-on exhibits and storytelling. 

Kids can play in a pirate ship at the Royal 

Danish naval Museum. and they can burn 

energy running up the winding walkway in 

the Round Tower (see page 28) – there are no 

steps and the views are awe-inspiring. 

polar bears and biospheres 

Watch polar bears as they swim – from an 

underwater glass tunnel in the new arctic 

zone at Copenhagen Zoo, opening in autumn 

2012. There is more animal fun in the tropical 

biospheres and african habitats. In 2012 

you can also still visit Denmark’s aquarium in 

its 1930s heritage home before it relocates 

to a spectacular new home in 2013 (se page 

111). and you can enjoy hands-on learning 

at Copenhagen’s science centre, experi - 

men ta rium, with more than 300 interactive 

experiences – a great place for kids to learn 

about the world around them (see page 115). 

Tivoli is lots of fun. 

Jazz for Kids, part of the Copenhagen Jazz 

Festival (6-15 June). www.jazz.dk 

The Knight’s Market at Esrum Abbey (23-24 

June). experience the age of chivalry at an 

authentic medieval setting with battle re- 

enactments. www.esrum.dk 

The Round Tower. 

Three greaT fesTivals for kids in 2012 

parkland fun and rides 

one of Copenhagen’s best-kept secrets is 

the open-air Museum, which is one of the 

world’s largest featuring more than 100 

heritage farms and watermills. You can also 

visit the royal deer park, Dyrehaven, where 

you can ride through the woods in a horse 

and carriage – to the family amusement 

park Bakken. and no visit to Copenhagen is 

complete without a day in Tivoli (see 

page 24) – one of the world’s most magical 

pleasure parks with white-knuckle rides, 

parade bands and family fun. and it’s right in 

the heart of town! 

CPH Pro 2012 (26-29 July). The city’s professional 

skaters battle it out at the skate park in 

the city park, Fælledparken. 

www.copenhagenskatepark.dk 




Fashion & 

Shopping 

Chic, cool, and catwalks 

Clean lines and breezy wearability make Danish 

fashion unique, and Copenhagen is where you’ll 

find it 


land of brands 

Bruuns Bazaar, Designers Remix, Munthe plus Simonsen, By Malene 

Birger …the list of internationally known Danish design labels just 

keeps on growing. Copenhagen fashion design cred began its ascent 

in the 1990s and has since attracted attention the world over for its 

innovation and passion for aesthetics, an approach expressed in the 

femininity and functionality of so many brands. The on-trend epicenter 

of Danish fashion, Copenhagen is the place to source inimitable 

Danish style across the city at gleaming flagship boutiques. 

fashion capiTal 

Today, Danish fashion boasts over 500 brands and twice a year, Copenhagen 

Fashion Week transforms the city into a feverishly fashionable 

hotspot, with an additional 60,000 visitors taking in the collections. 

and on the fashion runways, the Scandinavian design heritage always 

comes across loud and clear – this is fashion for the people. 

www.copenhagenfashionfestival.com 

where To go shopping 

The city’s downtown shopping mecca is a charming patchwork of 

streets on and around Strøget, the kilometre-long pedestrianised 

stretch lined with high street hip, international flagships, and classic 

department stores. and exciting one-of-a-kind shopping experiences 

await you on Strædet, which runs parallel to Strøget with a vibrant 

mix of individual retailers and cosy cafés. and the buzzing area in 

and around Pilestræde are a hive of new and distinctly cool 

premium fashion and interior design boutiques. Discover nearby 

Grønnegade, Store Regnegade, Christian IX’s Gade and Ny 

Østergade – all jam-packed with must-have apparel, accessories 

and home items. Quaint Kronprinsensgade 

ticks all the boxes in terms of on-trend shops 

and cafés, but for a more bohemian vibe, 

visit Larsbjørnsstræde/Teglgårdstræde to 

source one-off fashion and funky accessories. 

Diversity, dazzle and Danish design – 

Copenhagen has something for every 

style hunter.

FASHION 

SHOES 

ACCESSORIES 

BREDGADE 56 • 1260 COPENHAGEN 

B56STORE.COM 

Luxury-Outlet 

& Samples 

– Ladies & Gents 

Save up 

tO 60% 

On designer-shoes 

& bags 

A Passion 

We have a passion for shoes. 

Trendy and edgy high quality 

shoes of Scandinavian design 

combined with the Italian 

tradition of shoe making. 

We aim at making outstanding 

shoes. Beautiful and elegant 

shoes for women. Classic and 

daring shoes for men. 

Ny Østergade 3, 1101 Cph. K, 

+45 3391 9920 

Airport shop, 2770 Kastrup, 

+45 3231 4869 

Wholesale/Office +45 3393 9918 

www.apair.dk 

mundos 

mundos 

Pistolstraede 6 

mundos 

Pistolstraede 6 mundos 

dk 1102 Copenhagen K 

mundos 

dk 1102 mundos 

Copenhagen Denmark K 

Map page 135 5 Map page 22 10 



Denmark 

dk 1102 Copenhagen Pistolstraede Pistolstraede K 6 dk 1102 tel 6 Copenhagen +45 39 46 46 K39 

Denmark dk tel 1102 +45 dk Copenhagen 39 1102 46 46 Copenhagen Denmark 39 Kwww.mundos.dk 

K 

Denmark www.mundos.dk 

tel +45 39 46 46 39 

Denmark 

tel +45 39 46 46 39 

www.mundos.dk tel +45 39 46 46 39 www.mundos.dk 

tel +45 39 46 46 39 

www.mundos.dk 

www.mundos.dk 

A unique collection of vintage textiles, jewelry, 

apparel, accessories and mundos 

home décor. 

Handcrafted mundos 

by artisans. Visit our unique store in 

picturesque Pistolstraede in the Pistolstraede heart of Copenhagen. 

6 

mundos 


mundos 

dk 1102 Copenhagen Denmark K 




Kenza Cph • Vingårdstræde 9 • 1070 Copenhagen 

Denmark 

dk 1102 Copenhagen Pistolstraede K 6 • dk 1102 tel Copenhagen +45 39 46 46 K39 

Denmark dk tel 1102 +45 Pistolstraede Copenhagen 39 46 46 Denmark 39 •Kwww.mundos.dk 

6 


Denmark www.mundos.dk 


tel +45 39 46 46 39 Map tel page +45 22 1239 

46 46 39 

Denmark 

www.mundos.dk tel +45 39 46 46 39 www.mundos.dk cph-tourist.dk 

Copenhagen 35 

m 

P 

d 

D 

t 

w


The isle of slotsholmen 

Copenhagen’s museum island and 

seat of government 

Copenhagen´s monumental museum island is home to a number 

of the city´s most prized attractions, and offers experiences for 

every taste: From Thorvaldsen´s neoclassical sculptures and a 

royal court theatre to Jewish history, from ruins and artillery to 

splendid royal halls, dazzling white horses and much more ... 

originally the location of the medieval 

Copenhagen Castle, demolished in 1731, the 

island of Slotsholmen, which means “The 

Castle Isle”, has over the last 800 years been 

the site of five different castles and palaces, 

each reflecting different styles and epochs. 

and even today you can see the vestiges of 

all these palaces, from Rococo to neo classical, 

and indeed the ruins of the two castles that 

preceded them, including absalon’s Castle, 

in the underground museum. Slotsholmen is 


home to a wealth of museums and attractions, 

small and great, making it a veritable museum 

island. on page 40 you find a map of all these 

unique attractions. 

Towering above Slotsholmen is Christians - 

borg, home to the Danish parliament 

(Folketinget), the Royal Reception Rooms, 

the Danish Supreme Court, and the prime 

Minister’s office. Constructed in 1907-28 to 

reflect a neo-Baroque style, today’s Christiansborg 

palace was designed by architect 

Thorvald Jørgensen. The newly renovated 

castle tower reaches a height of 106 meters 

and is the tallest spire in Copen hagen. 

The RoyAl ReCepTion Rooms 

– De kongelige 

RepRÆsenTATionslokAleR 

The Royal Reception Rooms are situated 

in the northern wing of the palace. The 

majestic halls are used by the Queen for 

official functions such as state dinners, 

royal banquets and public audiences. The 

magnificent rooms are adorned with artworks 

CHRISTIANSBORG 

PALACE 

Open 10-17 (Oct-Apr closed Monday) 

www.christiansborgpalace.dk 

Map page 22 13

y some of Denmark’s most celebrated 

artists. In the great hall you’ll find the 

Queen’s tapestries from 2000, which may 

well be Denmark’s most monumental 

twentieth-century artwork. The 17 tapestries 

were designed by Danish artist Bjørn 

nørgaard and woven in paris. his sketches for 

these tapestries are on display at the KØS 

Museum for art in public Spaces in Køge, just 

south of Copenhagen (see page 102). 

The Royal Reception Rooms are open to the 

public when not used for official purposes. 

The Ruins of AbsAlon’s CAsTle 

– RuineRne Af AbsAlons boRg 

archbishop absalon, the official founder 

of Copenhagen, built the city’s first castle, 

which was completed in 1167. The castle 

ruins can be visited in the basement of 

Christiansborg palace, where you’ll also 

find a historical exhibition of all the five 

edifices that have occupied the site on 

Slotsholmen. 

The DAnish pARliAmenT 

– folkeTingeT 

Christiansborg palace is the seat of the Danish 

parliament where 179 elected members 

from across the kingdom meet to debate 

and adopt the laws by which Denmark is 

governed. The Danish parliament occupies 

most of the palace, comprising more than 

44,000 sq. metres and 750 rooms. In recent 

years, the Danish parliament has expanded 

to include most of King Christian IV’s old 

storage rooms. 

To help members conduct their day-today 

legislative work, all political groups have 

their own secretariats. In addition, many 

journalists have offices at Christiansborg, 

too. During busy periods, more than 1,000 

people work at the Danish parliament. 

From 2 July-3 august when the parliament 

is in recess, daily guided tours are offered 

in english at 13:00. From 6/8 - 14/9 daily 

guided tours in english at 13:00. The rest of 

the year guided tours in english are offered 

every Sunday at 13:00. www.ft.dk 

Folketinget (the Danish parliament) is the nation’s 

legislative seat, where 179 elected members debate 

and adopt the laws that govern Denmark. 

ChRisTiAnsboRg pAlACe ChApel 

– ChRisTiAnsboRg sloTskiRke 

Christiansborg palace Chapel, located to 

the west of the palace, is the private church 

of the royal family, used for baptisms, 

weddings and other religious ceremonies. 

here deceased Danish monarchs lie in state 

before they are taken to their final resting 

place at Roskilde Cathedral. The chapel 

was designed in neoclassical style by 

architect C. F. hansen (1756-1845) as part of 

his commission for the second Christians - 

borg palace. although severe ly damaged 

by fire in 1992, the chapel has been restored 

to its original glory when first consecrated 

on 14 May 1826 in celebration of the 

millennium of the introduction of Christianity 

to Denmark. 

Christiansborg Palace Chapel – the church of the 

royal family. 




The Danish Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel 

Libeskind. Photo: Bitter+Bredt 

The DAnish Jewish museum 

– DAnsk JøDisk museum 

Recounting 400 years of Jewish history in 

Denmark, the Danish Jewish Museum is 

located in a boathouse basement of the 

Royal Library, constructed in the early 

seventeenth century by Christian IV. The 

interior of the museum was designed by the 

world famous architect Daniel Libeskind. 

The interior reflects the unique story of the 

Danish Jews during World War II, most of 

whom were saved by their Danish com - 

patriots from nazi persecution. This 

extraordinary feat is also symbolised in the 

museum’s emblem, ‘Mitzvah’ – the hebrew 

word for ‘obligation’ or ‘good deed’. 


The RoyAl DAnish ARsenAl museum – TøJhusmuseeT 

Come and visit the historic and impressive arsenal of King Christian IV, completed in 1604, housing 

an extensive collection of weapons and artillery dating from the 16th century. here you can learn 

about the history of artillery, from the most primitive cannon and guns used in the 1500s to the 

forerunner of the cruise missile, the german V-1 flying bomb from 1944. Please note: parts of the 

collections are currently not on view due to renovation work to be completed by the end of 2012. 

Special exhibition: The Distant War. Sample everyday life in a Danish military camp in 

afghanistan in this unique exhibition that, for the first time, invites you to step inside a desert camp 

and experience the atmosphere of a Danish battle group. 

RoyAl sTAbles AnD CoAChes – kongelige sTAlDe og kAReTeR 

a uniquely authentic atmosphere envelops the Royal Stables, which feature distinguished 

interiors dating from 1740. Tuscan marble columns support the vaulted ceiling. and even the 

stalls and stable walls are clad with marble. here the horses of the royal household are stabled 

and here you find heritage state coaches, uniforms, saddles, harnesses and other riding equip - 

ment. as one of the world’s oldest monarchies, Denmark has a rich tradition for horse breeding, 

a practice that reached its zenith in the seventeenth century at the Frederiksborg Stud in 

northern Zealand. This cultural heritage has been preserved in the working museum of the Royal 

Stables, a unique institution with riding school, riding ground and stables preserved in its entirety.

ThoRvAlDsens museum 

Small wonder that the Thorvaldsens Museum 

is such a favourite. not only is the museum 

a paean to the sculptor’s own works; its 

second floor is also home to several small 

rooms featuring Thorvaldsen’s private 

collections of paintings – one of the best, 

most intimate collections to be found 

anywhere in Denmark. Bertel Thorvaldsen 

(1770-1844) spent more than 40 years of 

his life in Rome, but in 1838 he bequeathed 

his comprehensive art collection to the city 

of his birth, Copenhagen. 

The colourful building was erected as a 

purpose-built museum by architect M.g. 

Bindesbøll. The frieze surrounding the 

museum depicts the return of the famous 

sculptor from Italy and the moving of his 

sculptures into the museum. Read more 

about the museum on page 103. 

The blACk DiAmonD, The RoyAl 

libRARy – Den soRTe DiAmAnT, 

DeT kongelige biblioTek 

In 1999, the Black Diamond was inaugurated 

– an daring new waterfront edifice. glass, 

concrete, black granite and steel is annexed 

to the original 1906 redbrick library facing 

the Søren Kierkegaard garden, a secret 

and peaceful oasis. Changing exhibitions 

offer visitors insight into the collections of 

the Danish national library. also featured 

is a venue for chamber and rhythmic 

music, the Queen’s hall, which also hosts 

lectures and conferences. There is a wellstocked 

bookshop, a café and an attractive 

restaurant that offers a harbour view and 

features a waterside terrace. guided tours by 

prior arrangement. For further information 

on the Black Diamond, see page 104. 

The Theatre Museum in the Court Theatre is used for 

exhibitions and a wide range of cultural and artistic 

activities. 

The TheATRe museum in The 

CouRT TheATRe 

– TeATeRmuseeT i hofTeATReT 

The Theatre Museum is situated in the 

Court Theatre in a remaining wing of the 

first Christiansborg palace. The Court 

Theatre was designed in 1766/67 for King 

Christian VII and was initially intended to 

house a troupe of French actors. In the 1770s 

the Court Theatre was a politically outspoken 

institution where opinions were formed. 

Today, the Theatre Museum at the Court 

Theatre is a living museum that hosts a wide 

range of cultural and art related activities 

and features exhibitions of costumes, 

theatre drawings, paintings, engravings, 

photographs, set design sketches and 

models as well as digital installations relating 

the history of Danish theatre from the 

eighteenth century until the present day. 




The isle of sloTsholmen 

– finD youR wAy 

1. Christiansborg Palace (Slot) 

2. The Royal Reception Rooms 

(De Kongelige Repræsentationslokaler) 

3. The Ruins of Absalon’s Castle 

(Ruinerne af absalons Borg) 

4. The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) 


5. The Royal Stables and Coaches 

(Kongelige Stalde og Kareter) 

6. The Theatre Museum in the Court Theatre 

(Teatermuseet i hofteatret) 

7. Christiansborg Palace Chapel 

(Christiansborg Slotskirke) 

8. Thorvaldsens Museum 

9. The Black Diamond – The Royal Library 

(Den Sorte Diamant – Det Kgl. Bibliotek) 

11 

10. The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum 

(Tøjhusmuseet) 

11. The Danish Jewish Museum 

(Dansk Jødisk Museum) 

www.oplevslotsholmen.dk 

Opening hours: See page 114 & 115.

Nyhavn 

Old sailing ships, storytelling and seafood 

The ‘Sunny side’ is an often-used term about the sun-kissed stretch 

of Europe’s most romantic heritage harbour. Once home to shady 

sailor’s joints, today’s Nyhavn is a picturepostcard dining spot, not 

least on lazy summer days 

vinTAge sChooneRs 

nyhavn has been a designated heritage 

harbour since 1977, allowing old schooners 

and vintage sailing vessels to echo the canal’s 

historic nautical past. The name, nyhavn, 

literally means ‘new harbour’, although the 

canal, dug by Swedish prisoners of war 

between 1671-73, is one of Copenhagen’s 

oldest. The old vintage ships still carry on the 

canal’s maritime traditions, such as the arrival 

each September of sailing ships carrying 

apples and pears from the small islet of Fejø 

in the archipelago south of Zealand. proceeds 

from the sales go to support children’s 

activities back home on the island. and 

among the quaint seafood restaurants a few 

old tattoo parlours and taverns hold out, 

adding a sense of seafaring authenticity. 

fAiRyTAles, sAiloRs AnD ARTisTs 

‘The princess and the pea’ and ‘The Tinderbox’ 

were some of the fairytales penned by 

storyteller hans Christian andersen (see 

page 76) while dwelling at nyhavn no 20. 

he also lived for 17 years at no 18 until his 

landlord, a sea captain, sent him packing at 

short notice. and if you feel a yearning for the 

sea yourself then board one of the canal 

boats for a tour of the town’s waterways or 

check the daytrip offerings by island-bound 

vessels at the end of the canal where you 

can also enjoy waterside lunches and refreshments 

at the pier-like new Royal Danish 

playhouse. From here you can take regular 

waterbuses to the city’s docklands. 

Landlubbers can head for the ‘shady side’ of 

nyhavn where the Boat Theatre (Bådteatret) 

serves drinks on deck. and here you also 

find Charlottenborg palace, constructed in 

the 1670s as the first building on the Kongens 

nytorv square, which is home to Kunsthal 

Charlottenborg, a large contemporary art 

centre. The palace’s heritage hall also features 

chamber concerts during summer, for those 

languid afternoons. 

www.kunsthalcharlottenborg.dk 

evenTs in nyhAvn, 2012 

eDiToR’s ChoiCe 

23 June: 

Midsummer’s Eve Bonfire and jazz 

6-15 July: 

Copenhagen Jazz Festival 

– with concerts at the anchor 

1-9 Sept: 

Old vintage ships arrive with fresh 

fruit from Fejø 

14-15 Sept: 

Beer & Jazz – with beer tasting and 

Copenhagen Harbour Jazz 

17 Nov: 

Sampling of the 2011 Christmasbeer 

from 13:00-15:00 

16 Nov-22 Dec: 

Christmas market at Nyhavn 

For more events please visit 

www.nyhavn.eu 




Royal Copenhagen 

& The Queen’s 40th Royal Jubilee 


A royal city with a royal family that has much to celebrate 

2012 is a year of royal celebration. not only are 

the Danes celebrating the 40th 40th Royal Jubilee of 

their sovereign, Queen Margrethe II, the nation 

has also recently recently welcomed a newborn newborn member 

of of the Royal Family, the Queen’s Queen’s eighth eighth grand grand - 

child. child. 

a kingdom for more than 1000 years, Denmark not 

only has one of the world’s oldest oldest monarchies, 

but but also one of the most popular. and all 

across across Copenhagen there are monuments to the 

nation’s nation’s royal heritage. amalienborg palace – a 

regal Rococo Rococo palace with four mansions – is the 

official city residence of the Queen and and the 

Amalienborg Palace - the mansion of King Christian VII. 

prince Consort, henrik, who is originally from France. and it’s also the 

official home of their eldest son, Crown prince Frederik, his wife, 

Crown princess Mary – originally from Tasmania – and their four young 

children, prince Christian, princess Isabella, prince Vincent and princess 

Josephine. 

Visitors can always see when the royal families are in residence – 

when the royal ensign flies from their private mansion. The changing 

of the royal guards takes place at 12 o’clock noon – and when the 

Queen is home they also strike up the band. The 300-year-old palace 

has a museum where you can study the original chambers of the 

Queen’s ancestors (see page 31). 

at harbour’s edge are two small white pavilions from which the Royal 

Family sets sail every summer in the Royal Yacht to visit towns and 

islands across the kingdom.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary with their four children. 

Queen Margrethe II and the Prince Consort, Henrik 

at the queen’s 40th Royal Jubilee in January 2012. 

RoyAl Jubilee 

eXhibiTions in 2012 

Pearls – Royal Splendour and Modern 

Design. Jewels adorned with the natural gem 

of the seas. Rosenborg Castle until 28 May. 

www.dkks.dk 

The Essence of Colour – The Art of Queen 

Margrethe II. paintings by the Queen. aRKen 

Museum of Modern art until 1 July. 

www.arken.dk 

Gala Dress – Court and Couture. The Queen’s 

ballroom gowns since the 1960s. amalienborg 

Museum until 26 august. 

www.dkks.dk 

puRveyoRs 

To heR mAJesTy 

Wandering through town you’re bound 

to come across the sign of the Royal 

Warrant. an image of the Crown and 

the words “Kgl. hofleverandør” signify that 

the store or company – usually a very 

distinguished establishment – has been 

appointed purveyor to her Majesty the 

Queen. 

In this issue of ’Copenhagen Tourist’ you 

find the following Royal Warrants: 




Frederiksstaden - The Royal District 

From regal vainglory to boatmen’s row houses 

One of northern Europe’s grandest rococo districts, Frederiksstaden is a place of palatial grace. 

But its principal arteries Bredgade and Store Kongensgade also offer a chance to browse vintage 

design boutiques and art galleries. 

a grand palatial district celebrating the 300th anniversary of the 

oldenborg royal dynasty – that was the vision of King Frederik V 

(1723-66). and since he was an absolute monarch, his word was law. 

The grand renaissance scheme, modelled by architect nicolai eigtved 


Frederikskirken - also known as Marmorkirken (the Marble Church) seen from the harbour front. 

(1701-54) and named Frederiksstaden, came under way in the 1740s 

with the creation of two main thoroughfares, Bredgade and Store 

Kongensgade, leading from Kongens nytorv all the way to the garrisons 

of the northern citadel, Kastellet (see page 46).

CenTuRies in The mAking 

The centrepiece of Frederik V’s new district 

was to be a grand basilica rivalling those of 

europe’s greatest cities, and although the 

founding stone of Frederikskirken (also 

known as Marmorkirken, or the Marble 

Church) was laid with great ceremony in 1749 

the church stood as a mere project-in-themaking 

– or a romantic ruin in the eyes of 

many artists – for more than a century while 

the grand project fell out of grace with the 

king’s successors. 

In 1874, the site was sold to a wealthy 

Danish industrialist and patron of the arts, C. F. 

Tietgen (1828-1901), under the condition that 

he concluded the project within ten years, 

although it took a further decade and countless 

design revisions by architect F. Meldal (1827- 

1908) before the church was finally consecrated. 

More than a century later the grand 

scheme was finally completed in 2010 when 

contemporary RIBa award-winning architect 

Tony Fretton added the final corner building. 

The Russian 

Alexander Nevsky 

Church in Bredgade. 

naturally, a district built on renaissance ideals 

needed a grand monumental square, and an 

octagonal plaza was created on the transverse 

axis running from Frederikskirken to the 

harbour, complete with an equestrian statue of 

the district’s founder, Frederik V. here four 

noble families commissioned four almost 

identical manors, today considered among 

europe’s finest examples of Rococo architecture. 

They remained separate aristocratic 

homes until a winter’s night in 1794 when 

Christiansborg palace was razed by a great fire 

and the Danish royal family fell in dire need of 

a new home. 

now known as Amalienborg Palace, the 

four palatial homes still remain the official 

residence of the Danish monarch (see page 42). 

gAlleRies AnD 

boATmen’s houses 

Vintage Danish design stores and contemporary 

art galleries flank today’s Bredgade, 

one of Frederikstaden’s two main arteries. here 

you also find one of the nation’s leading 

decorative art museum, the Designmuseum 

Danmark (see page 99). Be sure to notice 

some of the small surprises, such as the golden 

onion domes of the Russian alexander nevsky 

Church (1883) and Medical Museion (see page 

105). When you’ve reached the end of the 

street, when heading from Kongens nytorv, 

Nyboder is one of the first row house districts in the world. 

turn left to discover a unique neighbourhood, 

Nyboder. The boatmen’s row houses were 

commissioned in 1631 by one of Denmark’s 

most enterprising renaissance monarchs, King 

Christian IV (1577-1648), who with this new 

neighbourhood created homes for the 

personnel of the rapidly growing Royal Danish 

navy and their families during that time. Many 

of the streets carry exotic names, such as 

Krokodillegade (Crocodile Street) and 

Tigergade (Tiger Street). and the quaint row 

houses are lime-washed with a warm hue 

known as ‘nyboder yellow’. a small museum, 

Nyboders Mindestuer, relates the area’s 

colourful history. 

on your way back to the city centre, head 

down Frederiksstaden’s other main artery, 

Store Kongensgade, with its blend of design 

boutiques and foodie temptations, including 

restaurant noma co-founder Claus Meyer’s 

much-lauded nordic bakery. Indeed you’ll 

find that Frederiksstaden has as much to offer 

your taste buds as its history offers food for 

thought. 




The Little Mermaid 

An enduring symbol of love 

A controversial mermaid, her ‘ugly sister’ and a starshaped 

seventeenth-century citadel draw visitors 

and locals to Copenhagen’s harbour promenade 

For almost a century, the Little Mermaid statue, the embodiment of 

hans Christian andersen’s fairytale, has perched on her stone by 

Langelinje, the Copenhagen harbour promenade. here the Little 

Mermaid cuts a tragic figure, suffering for her dream prince. Small 

wonder that she has often been the victim of rebellion and 

controversy. 


Radical feminists have painted her over. She’s been beheaded by 

maverick artists (twice!) and there’s even been an attempt to blow 

her up with explosives. But whatever emotions the Little Mermaid 

stirs, she is undeniably an enduring and universal symbol of love. 

She once again made headlines worldwide when she was flown to 

Shanghai to be the centrepiece of the Danish pavilion at the 

2010 eXpo. The Little Mermaid statue, from 1913, was created by 

Danish sculptor edward eriksen (1876-1959), who used his wife eline 

as a model. 

The ‘ugly sisTeR’ AnD The gefion myTh 

every fairytale has an ‘ugly sister’, and five minutes walk toward the 

cruise ships brings you to a genetically tweaked mermaid with 

iconoclastic reference to edward eriksen’s Little Mermaid. artist Bjørn 

nørgaard’s tongue-in-cheek artwork is part of a sculpture group 

entitled The Genetically Modified Paradise, originally exhibited at 

the 2000 eXpo in hannover, germany. In the opposite direction, 

towards Esplanaden, you find a thundering fountain depicting a 

scene from norse mythology in which the goddess Gefion drives her 

plough through the waters of Lake Vänern to create the island of 

Zealand, having first turned her four sons into oxen, who perish from 

exhaustion following their daunting feat. 

The CiTADel 

Close by is the entrance to Kastellet – one of the best-preserved 

seventeenth-century fortifications in northern europe. Shaped as a 

star pentagram, the citadel still houses military offices and has its 

own historic church. When first constructed, the citadel was the only 

part of the city’s defence where sea-directed cannons could also be 

turned towards the city itself – in case of rebellion from within. 

Today the leafy citadel is open to the public for romantic strolls and 

picnics, and features open-air entertainment during the warmer months. 

look ouT foR... 

Langelinje Pavilion designed by eva and niels Koppel in 1958. 

The famous ‘artichoke’ lamps by poul henningsen (ph) were 

purpose-designed for this pavilion. 

www.langelinie.dk 

The historic Citadel windmill situated on one of the bastions.

The Museum of 

Danish Resistance 1940-45 

Frihedsmuseet 

In 1942, sabotage was adopted as a form of resistance. 

The story of the Danish resistan ce movement and the struggle against 

Nazi German occupation from 1940-45 

The Museum of Danish Resistance 1940-45 

offers unique insight into a dark chapter of 

Danish history. It documents the struggle 

against nazi german occupation, including 

the printing of illegal newspapers, underground 

radio communication, the collection 

of secretly airdropped weapons, the sabotage 

of factories and railways and the aiding of 

Danish Jewish citizens to safety from nazi 

persecution. 

Through personal video accounts, authentic 

photos and other documents, visitors learn of 

the human cost of resistance, the constant 

threat of imprisonment, torture, concentration 

camps and execution. 

There are four main themes in the exhibition: 

• Adaptation to Avoid Nazification 

• Resistance and Sabotage 

• German Terror Tactics 

• The Liberation, 5 May, 1945 

Opening hours: See page 117. 

Occupation 

and resistance 

Churchillparken 7 

1263 Copenhagen K 

Free admission 

natmus.dk 


sCAn AnD wATCh 

Scan the QR code and watch a video in 

which Curator esben Kjeldbæk tells the 

story behind the sweater with the bullet 

hole. on 24 april 1945, Tage nielsen and 

his group of freedom fighters waited for a 

British bomber bringing weapons and 

explosives to a reception spot. 

Unfor tu nately Tage’s 

Morse code signal was 

seen by a german 

night-fighter, 

not the 

British 

bomber. 




Danish Design 

ordrup 

– a way of life 

No matter where you go in Copenhagen you’ll soon discover 

examples of the many classic Danish designs that shaped the 

twentieth century. They’re a part of everyday life in Denmark 

– in restaurants, hotels and homes 

one of Denmark’s great modernists, Arne 

Jacobsen (1902-71) was a true renaissance 

man, who is perhaps best known internationally 

for his 1960s egg and Swan chairs. 

Jacobsen’s architecture and interiors were 

modelled into total designs – even down to 

the the cutlery. The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel 

across from Tivoli is one of his 

total designs and and room 606 is 

untouched by time. among 

the showrooms at Pakhus 

48, one of the city’s dockland 

design hives, you’ll 

find more examples of arne 

Jacobsen’s legendary designs. 

www.arne-jacobsen.com 


Design CenTRes 

a city of design, Copenhagen also features 

several notable design centres. You can delve 

into the nation’s design heritage at the 

‘Denmark by Design’ exhibition at the Danish 

Design Center. For exhibitions on contemporary 

urban design visit the waterside 

Danish Architecture Center (see page 100). 

The Designmuseum Danmark (see page 99) 

lets you study classical collections of Danish 

and european decorative art. Throughout 

2012 you can also experience a ‘hands-on’ 

exhibition of mid-century furniture designs 

by Finn Juhl, celebrating the centennial of 

the legendary designer. and you can visit 

Finn Juhl’s private home com plete with his 

original furniture, which is today part of the 

ordrup gaard Museum (see page 

101). a major nordic design 

exhibition is also featured 

at the 

Louisiana 

Museum of 

Modern Art 

29 June – 

21 octo ber 2012. 

Danish Design Centre 

www.ddc.dk 

Danish Architecture Centre 

www.dac.dk 

Designmuseum Danmark 

www.designmuseum.dk 

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art 

www.louisiana.dk 

ThRee seCReTs 

Galleri Feldt lets you furnish your home 

with vintage design classics by great 

Danish names such as poul Kjærholm and 

Finn Juhl. www.gallerifeldt.dk 

Skovshoved, arne Jacobsen’s heritagelisted 

gas/petrol station from 1938 on 

the coastal road. 

Rud Rasmussen, the showroom and 

wood crafting workshop of one of 

Denmark’s most legendary furniture 

makers. www.rudrasmussen.com 

Hovedvagtsgade 6 

1103 Cph. K +45 33 33 04 

www.contrast-is.dk 

mail: contrast@contrast-is.dk 

Map page 22 6 

C 

O NTRAST

Ørestad 

Shaping the new Copenhagen 

Copenhagen’s new designer districts show that contemporary 

architecture is all about nurturing good community values 

Urban sprawl is probably the last thing 

that jumps to mind when you visit Ørestad, 

one of Copenhagen’s new urban districts. 

The M2 metro line surfaces by the 

university’s humanities faculty to become 

an elevated line, and after a short bend 

round one of the city’s new urban icons, 

the DR Concert Hall designed by French 

architect Jean nouvel, it shoots ahead along 

a two-kilometre concourse flanked by age- 

of-new designs. The university, also undergoing 

remodelling, features a new circular 

student house, Tietgenkollegiet, inspired by 

traditional Chinese community living. The 

award-winning structure is created by 

Danish architect Lene Tranberg, co-designer 

of Copenhagen’s new Royal Danish play - 

house. 

Tietgenkollegiet is created by Danish architect Lene Tranberg. 

big is beTTeR 

Close by Ørestad’s new twin-towered Bella 

Sky Comwell Hotel, billed as Scandinavia’s 

largest design hotel and created by Danish 

studio 3Xn, you find two more award-winning 

housing projects, VM houses and The 

Mountain, which have both involved the 

playful talents of Danish architect Bjarke 

Ingels, head of the BIg design practice in 

Copenhagen. noted for giving residents 

wide-open views and integrated community 

amenities, his latest project at the very far 

end of Ørestad, called the 8 House, is inspired 

by mountain ridge dwellings and allows you 

to walk along public paths past row penthouses. 

among Bjarke Ingels’ many international 

assignments is a housing project 

soon set to rise on 57th Street in new York 

ThRee seCReTs 

The 8 house café (Café 8TaLLeT) at the 

far corner of the project, serving Danish 

open-faced sandwiches and with weekend 

live music. www.cafe8tallet.dk 

Close to the 8 house you find the Vestamager 

nature reserve visitor’s centre, 

which also features a small café. granatvej 

3-15 

plug n’ play speed skating and parkour 

course close to BIg house. 

City. and closer to home he has recently 

co-designed Copenhagen’s new global 

park, Superkilen (see page 48) with Danish 

artist group Superflex. and the new Danish 

Maritime Museum in elsinore designed by 

Bjarke Ingels too is set to open in 2013. 

Podwalks to new urban developments 

www.cphx.dk 

Smart-phone architecture guide 

www.archguide.dk 

Guided bicycle tours of new architecture 

www.citysafari.dk 

Ørestad 

www.orestad.dk

eat style oughout enturies - Copenhagen Tourist

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?