Experience Copenhagen – 1000 years of history on walk. From Nyhavn to Langelinie. Tour 4
Text and photos Erik K Abrahamsen
Tour to Nyhavn, New Royal Theatre at Copenhagen Harbour, Amalienborg Castle, The Marble Church, The Store Houses, Maersk Domicil, Gefion Fountain, Kastellet and The Little Mermaid at Quay Langelinie.
Nyhavn. Photo: july 2010
The history of Copenhagen is Denmarks history marked by ups and downs. Long periods of economic revival in the Middle Ages and in 16-17oo century with large construction activity of
churches, monasteries, castles, palaces, ramparts and fortresses, squares and beautiful houses.
Something has gone caused by attacks and lootings by invaders and the large fires in 1728 and 1795. These 2 fires destroyed thousands of houses in the old city – but incredibly much has been preserved until to day!
Open your eyes wide open – the city and its history is under your feet, under you and around you – ready to play.
I will guide you through the history by walking through selected parts of the oldest Copenhagen within the city walls. Its a trip where you need your eyes and your imagination to feel and experience the history drama as it unfolded precisely the places we will visit.
Map of Copenhagen City:
Click on the map and use your zoom control and you see it in full screen size. Photo: Erik K Abrahamsen, 10. october 2012
New Copenhagen:
On this walk we will visit New Copenhagen – a vision of an expanded Copenhagen to double size by King Christian 4 (1588-1648). From 1604 the king began buying large areas east and north of the old city to Øresund and the entrance of Copenhagen Harbour. Here he builded a fortress Sct Annae Skanse with 3 bastions from 1626-40 and started building ramparts, bastions and moats north, east, west and south (Christianhavn 1620-24) of Copenhagen.
Kongens Nytorv became by King Christian 5 (1670-99) the new central quare of Copenhagen with the same distance to all 24 bastions of the new fortress to protection of Copenhagen from invaders.
Model of Copenhagen about 1640. Back and left in model Christianshavn (Build a. 1620), then an island Slotsholmen with Copenhagen Castle, Børsen (Stock Exchange from 1622-24) and the Royal Shipyard Bremerholm. At right the old Copenhagen Mediaval City. In front the large area New Copenhagen with Rosenborg Garden and Rosenborg Castle build 1638 and Nyboder houses for marines of The Royal Danish Navy builded 1635. In front: ramparts, bastions and moats for the fortress around Old and New Copenhagen. Model at København Bymuseum. Photo: 2008
We begin our tour at Nyhavn Anchor as neighbour to Kongens Nytorv:
Nyhavn Anker. Anchor from 1858. In memorial of 2300 danish seamen, who died in allied duty under the 2. World War from 3. september 1939 to 15. august 1945. Photo: 5. may 2010 – 65 years after the liberation of Denmark from the German occupation 9. april 1940 – 5. may 1945.
New Harbour, Nyhavn build as a canal in 1671-73:
We continue our walk on the eastern/northern side of the canal, “the sunny side” through the houses and wharf (bolwark) of the canal King Christian 5 builded in 1671-73. The canal is 400 meter long, 25 meter wide and 3 meter deep. The king wanted to stimulate trade and to get a direct acces to the new central square Kongens Nytorv. From now on merchantships could do their loading and piloting close to the merchantyards- and houses in Nyhavn.
The eldest house in Nyhavn was build 1681:
Nyahvn 9, “The blue house”, the eldest house in Nyhavn build 1681. Photo; 2. may 2009
Today Nyhavn is one of the most popular recreational areas in Copenhagen with in- and outdoors restaurants and cafees, picnics on the bolwarfs and a meeting place with families and friends to enjoy life in day- and nighttime.
Warm up before the football match:
Nyhavn at the bolwark. Relaxation and preparations to a football match in Copenhagen some years after European Championship EM in football Goteburg, Sweden, 10. – 26. june 1992. Click on he picture and use your zoom control and you can see it in full screen size. Photo: june 1993Preparations and body painting before an evening football match in Copenhagen some years after EM in football 1992. Denmark won the European Championship in football (soccer) 26. june 1992. Finale in Goteburg, Sweden: Denmark – Germany 2 – 0. Click on the picture and use your zoom control and you can see it in full screen size. And you can read the results of all 5 danish matches under EM in football 1992 on back of the white T-shirt! Photo: june 1993
Enjoying good food and drinks in outdoors restaurants:
Outdoors restaurants in Nyhavn. Photo: 2. may 2009
– and on the balwark:
2 girls enjoying food, friendship and life on the wharf (bolwark) in Nyhavn. Photo: june 1993Seaman on work on his boat in Nyhavn. Photo: june 1993Nyhavn – a popular recreational area for all ages. View in direction to “the south side” of Nyhavn. At left the bridge at Toldbodgade: Photo: 2. may 2009Nyhavn, “the sunny side”. The canal was build 1671 by order of King Christian 5 to inspire and help trade and to get an easy access to the Center of Copenhagen: Kongens Nytorv. Kongens Nytorv is the square back in the picture with the bronze statue of King Christian 5 (1670-99). Click on the picture and use your zoom control and you will see it in full screen size. Photo: june 1993
Courtyards behind and between the old houses in the sidestreets to Nyhavn:
Nyhavn. In the sidestreets to Nyhavn you can find and visit small courtyards behind the gates. Photo: 2010
Lille Strandstræde 14, Hallings Gård:
Hallings Gård (Yard), Lille Strandstræde 14: The grey house in middle of picture. The original yard from mid 1600, renovated 1773-76 in style neo-classical. Back in the picture Sct. Annae Square and street. Photo: june 2010Hallings Gård (Yard), Lille Strandstræde 14. Courtyards behind and between houses in sidestreets to Nyhavn. The fronthouse to Lille Strandstræde “Hallings Gård” is the white house back in the picture. At left a storehouse. Photo: 2010Nyhavn. View from bridge at Toldbodgade in direction to Kongens Nytorv. Photo: july 2010
The house where H. C. Andersen lived 1845-64:
Nyhavn 67. The danish writer Hans Christian Andersen ( 1805-75) lived in this narrow white house (number two house from left) from 1845-64. Photo: 2010
The new Royal Theatre build 2004-07:
The new Royal Theatre at Copenhagen Harbour Front. Photo: june 2010The new Royal Theatre at Copenhagen Harbour. View to the new Royal Opera at Dokøen. Photo: 2010Relaxation in front the new Royal Theatre at Copenhagen Harbour. View to Christianshavn with the tower and spire of Our Saviour Church. Photo: 2010
The Quay Kvæsthusmolen:
Relaxation – sport, sand and foorball on Kvæsthusmolen. In the background the new Royal Theatre and Copenhagen Harbour Front. Photo: june 2010
Frederiksstaden in New Copenhagen:
View to Frederiksstaden with Amalienborg Castle and Amaliehaven. In the background Frederikskirken (Marble Church). In the foreground Kvæsthusmolen and Copenhagen Water Front ( Harbour). Photo. June 2010
In 1749 King Frederik 5 decided to celebrate his family The Oldenborg kingdom´s 300 years jubilee by building a new Quarter Frederiksstaden in New-Copenhagen. Architect Nicolai Eigtved (1701-54) draw a masterplan Frederiksstaden with a center of a eight angular square with a equestrian statue inspired by french baroque surrounded by 4 palaces. The square is in a center of a cross with 4 streets as diagonals: Frederiksgade and Amaliegade. At the end of Frederiksgade Nicolai Eigtved draw a Church Frederikskirken inspired by Sct.Peters Church in Rome, Italy.
Today the Square Amalienborg Slotsplads is one of the most beautiful in the world: centre Jacques Salys equestrian statue of King Frederik 5 from 1771 and sourrounded by 4 splendid palaces with balcons and ionic columns. The architecture express the constitution of absolute monarchy from 1661 – 1849 in Denmark: The king in center of all power.
The 5. june 1849 Denmark got a new democratic constitution: Danmarks Riges Grundlov.
The King in center for all power: Absolute Monarchy in Denmark 1661-1849:
Amalienborg Slotsplads. Central equestrian statue by Jacques Saly of King Frederik 5: Symbol of absolute monarchy (Royal power)! At right king Christian 7 (Moltke) Palace in style neo-classicism and rococo (indoor decorations). Photo: 15. may 2009Amalienborg Castle. The Royal Guard in full-dress uniform. Photo: 1995Frederik 8 Palace (Brockdorff Palace). The new home for Crownprince Frederik and Crownprincess Mary and their 4 children. Renovated 2004- 10. Photo: 5. may 2010
The 4 palaces were builded from 1750-60 by 4 influential noblesmen: Adam Gottlob Moltke (1710-92) and Christian Frederik von Levetzaus (1682-1756) builded their palaces at the church side (west) and Hans Schack and Joachim von Brockdorff (1695-63) at the waterfront side (east).
Amalienborg Slotsplads is the Center from where 4 streets radiates: Frederiksgade to Amaliehaven and Marble Church (Frederikskirken) and Amaliegade to Gefion Fountain and Sct. Annae Street and Square.
We will visit all 4 streets in “the cross which center is Amalienborg Square”:
Amaliegade with Det Gule Palæ (The yellow Palace):
Amaliegade. At right Det Gule Palæ (Yellow Palace). At left Amaliegade 15 and 17 drawed by architect Nicolai Eigtved (1701-54). In tha background: C. F. Harsdorff (1735-99) Kolonnade of 8 pillows and indoor walk connection between the two palaces: Moltke Palace at left and Schack Palace at right. Central: Equestrian statue of King Frederik 5 (King of Denmark and Norway 1746-66). Photo: 5. may 2010
Amaliehaven, Amalie Garden,
Here ends the diagonal street Frederiksgade at Copenhagen Harbour:
Amaliehaven with fountain. In the background Amalienborg Slotsplads and Marble Church (Frederikskirken) at the opposite end of Frederiksgade diagonal. Photo: 2009
Storehouses at Copenhagen Harbour:
Storehouse at Copenhagen Harbour. In front Bronze statue “David” by sculptor Michelangelo 1505 (Copy). In the background Maersk Domicil at left and Trekroner (an island and a fortress) at the entrance of Copenhagen Harbour. Photo: 2009
Amaliegade. The diagonal street from Amalienborg Slotsplads to Gefion Fountain and Fortress Kastellet:
Amalienborg Slotsplads with equestrian statue of King Frederik 5 by sculpture Jaques Saly 1771. At left Amaliegade – the diagonal street to Fountain Gefion and Fortress Kastellet. At right Frederik 8 Palace (Brockdorff Palace) with the clock on the frontispiece. Photo: 5. may 2010
Gefion Fountain and Sct. Alban Church:
Gefion Fountain. View in direction Amalienborg Slotsplads through Amaligade. At right Sct. Alban Church, english anglican church in Copenhagen. Photo: 5. may 2010.
Fortress Kastellet build 1661-65 and inaugurated 28. oktober 1664:
Kastellet at right, fortress with ramparts, 5 bastions in a star formation and moats. Kongeporten, the principal entrance. The fortress was started by King Christian 4 (King of Denmark and Norway 1588-1648) in 1620 as Sct. Annae Skanse for protection of the entrance of Copenhagen Harbour. In 1640 it was enlarged to a fortress with 3 bastions. His son king Frederik 3 (King of Denmark and Norway 1648-70) invited Holland engineur Henrik Ruse to enlarged the fortress to modern standard 1661-65. At left Gefion Fountain and Sct. Alban Church. Photo: 2009
Marble Church (Frederikskirken)
– at the end of diagonal street Frederiksgade through Amalienborg Slotsplads (Amalienborg Square):
Marble Church.Lutheran protestant christian church. At the end of Frederiksgade and between Bredgade and Store Kongensgade. The original Frederikskirken was part of the masterplan from 1749 by Nicolai Eigtved (1701-54). The church was inspired by Sct. Peter Church in Rome and the construction started by his successor architect Nicolas Henry Jardin in 1754. It was build of imported norwegion marble, but when the building reached 19 m high King Christian 7 through his minister Struense stopped the building caused lack of money. It stood as a ruin and a motif for danish painters in Copenhagen Golden Age period untill 1875, when a danish financier C. F. Tietgen led architect Ferdinand Meldahl redraw the church and rebuilded it. Style classic baroque with a 60 meter high dome. Inaugurated 1894. At left Bernstorffs Palace and at right Dehns Palace builded 1752-56 after the masterplan by Nicolai Eigtved from 1749. Photo: 2009
Bredgade is the western demarcation of Frederiksstaden.
In this street you can visit 3 christians churches:
Lutheran protestant church “Marble Church”,
Russian orthodox church “Alexander Newsky Church” and
Roman catholic church “Sankt Ansgar Church”:
Alexander Newsky Church, russian orthodox christian church inaugurated 1883 by the russian zar Alexander 3 married with danish princess Dagmar in 1866. Photo: 2009Sct. Ansgar Church. Roman catholic christian church, Bredgade 64. Builded 1842 as successor of a small roman catholic Chapel from 1765. Neighbour to Frederiks Hospital to the left of the church where you can see the two pavillons builded by Laurids de Thurah 1756-57. Photo: 2009
Frederiks Hospital 1757-1910, a principal part of architect Nicalai Eigtveds masterplan for Frederiksstaden – a unic quarter i New-Copenhagen:
Frederiks Hospital 1757- 1910. The entrance building to inner yard Grønnegåden surrounded of hospitalbuildings builded by Nicolai Eigtved 1752-54. Around this hospital complex architect Laurids de Thurah builded 4 symmetric placed pavillons – 2 pavillons to Bredgade and 2 pavillons to Amaliegade in 1756-57. The hospital was the first real Hospital in Denmark with 300 beds and education for medicine students. Since 1910 Rigshospitalet at Blegdamsvej was successor of Frederiks Hospital. Today Kunstindustrimuseum since 1921-26. Photo: 2009
Grønnegården – the inner yard of Frederiks Hospital:
Grønnegården, Green Yard, the inner yard of Frederiks Hospital by architect Nicolai Eigtved`s masterplan 1749 of Frederiksstaden. Builded 1752-57 by Nicolai Eigtved and Laurids de Thurah. Photo: 2009
Nyboder, New-Copenhagen, Store Kongensgade:
– houses for men and their families af the Royal Danish Navy:
Nyboder builded since 1635 by King Christian 4 to workers and men in The Royal Danish Navy and in the shipyard Bremerholm and since 1690 at Naval Base Holmen. In 1724: 600 houses and since 1800 more than 800 families each with 4-5 peoples, all in all 3-4000 inhabitants. Photo: 2019
Churchill Park with Museum of the danish resistance movement under the German occupation of Denmark 1940-45:
Frihedsmuseet. Museum of the danish resistance movement under German occupation of Denmark 9. april 1940 – 5. may 1945. Photo: 2009
Kastellet Fortress – build by King Frederik 3, 1661-65:
Kastellet Fortress. Kongeporten at right: principal entrance. Begun by King Christian 4 as Sct. Annae Skanse 1622-40 as protection to the entrance at Copenhagen Harbour. 1661-65 Kastellet was rebuilded by Holland engineur Henrik Ruse invited by King Frederik 3. Inaugurated 28. okrober 1664. In the background New – Copenhagen with Marble Church (Frederikskirken). Photo: 2009Kongeporten, principal entrance to Kastellet. Photo: 2. may 2009Barracks inside Kastellet. Photo: 2. may 2009Drill ground, central area of Kastellet. In the background Kastelskirken (Church) build 1703 and behind the church the wings of a windmill on top of one of the 5 bastions in Kastellet Fortress. Photo: 2. may 2009Kastelskirken. The church is a local lutheran protestant church. Today an military officer had been married. At left: Behind the church and a part of it a prison (red building on the picture) had been build in 1725. Photo: 2. may 2009Kastellet. On top of ramparts of the Bastion of the Princess. View in direction red barracks, Kastelskirken, Windmill on the Kings Bastion. At left Commander Building from 1725. Photo: 2. may 2009Kastellet on top of rampart of Princess Bastion. View in direction to Trekroner Fortress and Øresund at the entrance of Copenhagen Harbour. The seabattle between the Danish and English Navy 2. april 1801 was her in Øresund close to Copenhagen Harbour and Kastellet. Photo: 2. may 2009
Kastellet, Norgesporten north of the fortress close to Quay Langelinie:
Norgesporten, the Norway Gate in and out of Kastellet Fortress. Photo: 2009
From Norgesporten there are only 300 meter walk to The Little Mermaid close to Quay Langelinie,
The little Mermaid back in town:
The Little Mermaid ” Back in Town”! ” A rose is a rose is a rose”! Quoted from poem “Sacred Emily” (1913) by american writer Gertrude Stein (1874-1946). By sculptor Edvard Erichsen of balletdancer Ellen Price, 1910-12. Donated by brewer Carl Jacobsen, Carlberg Brewery and set up here close to Quay Langelinie 23. august 1913. Back again from a 6 months journey to Shanghai Expo 2010 in China with red roses on the snow on the topstone. Click on the picture and use your zoom control and you will see it in full screen size. Photo: 21. december 2010, Copyright by Erik K Abrahamsen 2011 All rights reserved.
Map of Copenhagen City:
Click on the map and use your zoom control and you see it in full screen size. Photo: Erik K Abrahamsen, 10. october 2012
Copyright text and pictures Erik K Abrahamsen 2011
All rights reserved
Copenhagen 14. january 2011
Erik
Updated 11. october 2012
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