FAIRY TALE COPENHAGEN

The Little Mermaid

Denmark’s capital Copenhagen certainly lives up to its fairy tale reputation.  The city just seems to have a vibe about it which strikes you immediately.

There’s no better way to explore Copenhagen than to put on a good pair of walking shoes and get going.  From the polar bear statue on the waterfront scarred by bullet holes from the Nazi’s World War Two invasion, the polar bear represents Denmark’s trade history with Greenland and Iceland.

Further along the harbour there she is, Copenhagen’s most famous symbol.  The Little Mermaid sits poignantly atop a series of well placed boulders unmoved by the throngs of tourists who have come to pay their respects.

One after another, there are so many historic buildings in Copenhagen, each with their own story to tell.  For instance, Christianborg Palace, seat of the Danish Parliament and the venue where new monarchs are proclaimed.  The Church of Our Savior with its unusual tower and outside spiral staircase.  The Borsen, the world’s oldest active stock exchange and its three green dragons with tails twisted forming a thin, graceful spire.

Changing of the guard outside Amalienborg Palace

The official royal residence, the Amalienborg Palace, is particularly striking.  The residence surrounds a square and is made up of four perfectly proportioned Rococo buildings with a statue of King Frederik V in the middle.  The ceremonial changing of the guards was taking place as we arrived.  Soldiers in bearskin hats and blue and white uniforms marched in unison across the cobbled square.

The monarchy is popular in Denmark and when the heir to the throne Crown Prince Frederik married his Australian girlfriend, Mary, the Danes fell in love with her too.  The lady from Hobart made it her business to learn Danish and apparently speaks it flawlessly.

Nyhavn waterfront

During his lifetime Hans Christian Andersen lived in several buildings in Nyhavn, the old harbour area of Copenhagen.  A colourful area with brightly painted 500 year old gabled buildings, the area is lined with open air cafes and restaurants and positively bursts with activity.  Tucked away at one end of the harbour is a building that once housed the White Star Line’s offices. It was from this building that ten tickets were sold for the ill fated Titanic crossing. 

A ride along the city’s waterways provides an excellent vantage point to admire residences on land and water.  Old warehouses have been transformed into elegant apartments and together with more modest accommodations and houseboats, the view from the water makes for an eclectic atmosphere.

Main gate into Tivoli Gardens

And speaking of fantasy, Tivoli Gardens which had its beginnings in 1843 has a sort of faded old charm about it.  The 100-year old roller coaster positively roars around the park.  The heart stopping Star Flier has heads craned upward in awe to watch riders quickly spiral downward from a particularly tall tower.  

The park bursts with colour, whether its from the gardens themselves or the bright lights that come into their own as darkness falls.

After all, a little Danish fantasy time never hurt anyone.