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Copenhagen History & Overview
It is thought that Copenhagen's origins date back to the 9th & 10th century called Havn (Danish for harbour) was established. ) By the 12th century it had developed significantly and was acquired by the Bishop of Absalon. Historians attribute 1167 as year Copenhagen was founded when the port was fortified. It subsequently became a important trading port and commercial centre. To reflect this it was renamed Copenhagen - Copen being the Danish word for commerce. In 1254 it was officially given the status of a city. Between 1658 and 1659 Swedish forces unsuccessfully laid siege to the city.
In 1801 the British Navy under Admiral Parker attacked the Danish Navy in the city's harbour. When ordered to stop the attack Lord Nelson put his telescope to his blind eye so as to ignore the order. The British returned in 1807 and used cannon to bombard the city erasing it to the ground and killing hundreds of people. In the mid 19th century .the city was expanded and new homes were built around the lakes
By the beginning of the 20th century the sprawling city had incorporated lone towns such as Frederiksberg in its path. In April 1940 Nazis troops occupied the city and remained there until May 1945. The city has grown dramatically since WW2 and is now a populated metropolitan area. In 2000 the 4km straight of sea between Copenhagen and Malmo Sweden was breached by the Oresund Bridge and Tunnel. The connection provides both travellers with option of rail and road transport though the uptake of the latter is lower than expected due to high tolls. Some shops now accept Danish or Swedish currency.
Copenhagen City Guide - Business & Tourist Travel Information
Sightseeing & Attractions In Copenhagen
The Amalienborg Palace is the winter home of the Danish Royal Family. It is regarded as an outstanding example of Rococo architecture first built in the mid 18th century. Originally built as Town Mansions for Copenhagen's socially well heeled it was bought by the Danish Crown in 1794 and transformed into four palaces. There is a daily 'Changing of the Guard' ceremony at noon. Denmark's National Museum for all of Denmark is located in a 18th century mansion in the centre of the city. The museum gives a detailed cultural and historical of Danish history. It offers visitors audio guides in Danish and English and has special arrangements for the partially sighted. One of Europe's more visitor friendly museums. website. The National Gallery locally known as the Staten's Museum for Kunst, near the Botanical Gardens has a Danish and European air about it. Its collection of paintings and drawings, accompanied by sculptures span 700 years. website.
Tivoli Gardens in the centre of the city near City Hall Square is one of Copenhagen's most popular attractions especially for families. Established in 1874 as a open air pantomime theatre it now also serves as am amusement park - with a three loop roller coaster (the Demon) and the Golden Tower which will bring you back to earth faster than you may think! The open air stage regularly offers classical music and ballet with rock concerts on fridays. Hungry visitors have the choice of 30 restaurants and not all hamburgers. All set in a very garden like setting. More info see website
Shopping In Copenhagen
Europe's longest pedestranised shopping street is Stroget. It hosts many retail icons including Boss, Cerutti, Chanel, Hermès Karen Millen, Louis Vuitton, Marlboro, Max Mara, Mulberry and Prada. Shoppers not inclined to sell the family silver will find lesser priced retailers such as Hennes & Mauritz also. Many of the surrounding streets are pedestranised and in the summer there a wealth of street artists.
Restaurants In Copenhagen
Det Lille Apotek (Store Kannikestræde 15; Tel: 3312 5606) at nearly 300 years of age is thought to be Copenhagen's oldest restaurant. This moderately priced establishment - once frequented Hans Christian Andersen - offers traditional Danish cuisine in a very relaxed quaint atmosphere enhanced by the leaded windows and wood panelling. The house specialty is 'Stone Beef' which diners can cook themselves on a lava stone. The menu also offers a good choice of schnitzel, steaks and seafoods. Another decently priced establishment is Cafe Sorgenenfri ( 8 Brolæggerstræde; Tel: 3311 5880 ) which opens from 11am 8pm. It is popular with locals and can be very busy at lunchtime. Good beer and a decent sandwich is the order here, but in spite of its informality you may need to book!
Tyvenkokkenhanskoneoghendeselsker! locally know as 'Tyven' ( Magstr. 16, Tel: 3316 1292 ) is a contemporary restaurant with a reputation for slightly off the wall seven course meals. Baked cod in coffee apparently is not uncommon! Though a little adventurous the quality of food is good and the combinations are refreshingly successful. The desserts are even more intriguing. Not open lunch times. website. Cafe Ketchup ( Pilestr. 19, Tel: 3332 3030) also offers patrons decent food and reasonable prices. In some ways it is a little 'bohemian' especially in the cafe area. Here the fare includes spring rolls, smoked salmon or cod. Early birds can also sample their brunch' which includes yogurt, toast, turkey and bacon up until 1pm. The restaurant area offers more traditional food - the marinated duck with sun dried tomatoes and fennel salad is not to be missed. For more info see website.
For an exceptional treat Husmanns Vinstue ( Larsbjørnsstr. 2, Tel 3311 5886 ) should not be missed. This 120 year old restaurant is situated in a building that is nearly 300 years old. With thick wooden tables and a low ceiling It is a rare example of what eating out in Copenhagen use to be like. This establishment which is only open during the day specialises in herring dishes whether curried, fried marinated or spiced. Other options include an excellent roast beef and potato salad or smoked eel with scrambled eggs. Walt Disney is one of its former patrons. Another excellent restaurant only open during the day and is Iva Davidsen ( Store Kongensg. 70, Tel 3391 3655 ) which is often frequented by the famous. It is renowned for its smoked duck and horseradish-spiked cabbage salad. If the 'HC Anderson' sandwich which combines bacon, liver pate and tomatoes is anything to go by all their sandwiches are fairy tales! For more details see their website.
Noma ( Strandgade. 93, Tel 3296 3297) has established itself as one of Copenhagen's leading restaurants. Essentially the food is Scandinavian but in a broad context. The Jutland lamb and Scallops from the Faroe Islands are accompanied by a selection of herbs, wild berries and exceptionally fresh vegetables. Frankly patrons are spoilt for chance and the seven course meze menu is the answer!. If you can withstand this temptation (many can't) there is an excellent 'a la carte' menu as well. Expensive but well worth it. See website.
Krunch (Oresundsvej 14, Tel 3284 5050) primarily offers organic food of a high quality in a family friendly environment. Fare includes both meat and vegetarian main courses in a four course menu that reflects the seasonal produce. Contemporary with a French bias. see website. Visitors to Tivoli (summer only) are frankly spoilt for choice but Promenaden ( Vesterbrogade 3, Tivoli; Tel: 3375 0770 ) is one to consider. This two floor establishment includes a bar and a cafe , sausage bar and sandwich bar. The last two are very fairly priced. The cafe offers a good choice of international food including steaks, pasta and barbecue spare ribs. Open from midday to midnight.
| Copenhagen Night Life - Nightclubs Music Dance |
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Like many Scandinavian cities, Copenhagen can be very expensive to doss in. Most bars in particular seem to have a very high mark up on wine and in some of the more plush establishments the cocktails prices can seriously damage your credit card if not your health.
One place that stands out from many is Charlies Bar at Pilestraede 33. not because of its prices but because of its ambience. Open nightly to 2am (11pm on Sundays) it is a free house - offering real beers and real from Scandinavia, Europe and the United Kingdom including Czech Pilsner which is not always readily available in Northern Europe. The music free bar has a certain intimacy about it and is a good place for lovers and friends who want a evening out together. Locals often spend the evening here before setting out for a club.The most striking thing about clubs in Copenhagen is the hours they open. Few start to move before midnight with one ClubBlueNote, Studiestraede 31,open doors at 5am for those who appreciate techno and house at dawn. Vega at Enghavevej 40 in a post ww2 building is features modern bands playing heavy rock to Rnb & soul. See website for more details. Rust at Guldbergsgade 8 has a tendency to be a little less mainstream staging new live acts playing electronic hiphop and Indie but anything is possible here! more details.
The Park Diskote at Osterbrogade 79 (close to the Parken Sports Stadium) offers R'n'B, soul, music from the 90s, disco, funk and house. The club has a 60/70s air about it colourwise but has all the comforts of a top class club. more details. Jazz clubs large and small are in abundance in Copenhagen (every summer around July there is a Jazz Festival in the city) one place worth a visit is The Copenhagen Jazz House at Niels Hemmingsensgade 10 Tel: 3315 2600. This club established over 26 years ago is eclectic in its format. Not only will you find international artists here playing mainstream jazz (whatever that is these days!) it also offers up and coming Scandinavian musicians. Consequently the music can vary from latin - traditional and even electronic and anything else worthy of a 'jazz' label. It is licensed for 240 seated so don't arrive to late. website. In general the underground music scene and club culture is at its best the Norrebro district which is Cosmopolitan Copenhagen’ music centre.
Crime & Personal Safety & Security in Copenhagen Denmark
Crime in Copenhagen is low. Visitors may be the targets of pickpocket and occasionally bag snatchers especially in the summer.
Cautionary Note Re The Christiania “Free State” In Copenhagen
The 'Free city of Christiana' was founded in September 1971 by a group of hippies who moved into the former Administrated military barracks on the Island of Amager Copenhagen. In 1989 laws were passed by the Danish Parliament which legalized the occupation and exempted the occupants who had become widely known as Christianians from the Danish laws on heritage and environment conservation. In 1991, Christiania became a "free zone", and a degree of autonomy was given to the residents. In return each citizen has to pay a monthly a fee currently 1,600 Danish Kr (215 €) towards public costs including electricity, heating, child-care road maintenance, and other public expenditure.
The Christianians have their own communal laws. These including the banning of cars and liberal use of soft drugs. The centre of the area became known as 'Pusher Street' where hash and skunk were until a police operation in 2004 readily available. Hard drugs like cocaine and heroin are banned. Christiania officially has a population of 878 about 150 of these are children. The present Danish Government wants to abolish the areas 'free' status and in May 2007 a demonstration against this proposal resulted in a riot. The future of Christiania remains unresolved and the the possibility of further demonstrations against any change in its status.
| Accommodation In Copenhagen Hotels & Apartments etc |
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