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Top Attractions in Copenhagen |
Tivoli Gardens
The Tivoli Gardens lie in the centre of Copenhagen. They consist of a
world-famous garden, amusement park, museum and outdoor theatre.
Founded in 1843, the Tivoli Gardens have been visited by some 270
million people. The Gardens open for the summer season in April with
a spectacular opening ceremony but even if you miss that there are
fireworks shows twice weekly as well a food festival and an international
concert series.
Amalienborg Palace
The
Amalienborg Palace is home to the Danish royal family. Built in 1794 to
commemorate the Oldenburg family's 300-year reign, it is Denmark’s finest
example of rococo architecture. It is comprised of four identical palaces,
Christian VII's Mansion, Christian VIII's Mansion, Frederik VIII's Mansion
and Christian IX's Mansion. The four palaces surround an octagonal square,
one of the most beautiful in Europe, with Saly's equestrian statue of
Frederik V in the middle. Every day at noon you can see the changing of the
guard. There are also a number of rooms open to the public.
The Little Mermaid Statue
The Statute of the Little Mermaid is one of the most recognisable symbols
of Copenhagen. Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, this charming
statue reclines on a rock at the harbor mouth near the ruins of Kastellet
fortress. The sculpture was erected in 1913 and is 1.25 meters high.
Rundetaarn (Round Tower)
The Rundetaarn (Round Tower) is Europe's oldest functioning observatory.
Constructed in the 17th century, it consists of a spiralling 209 meter
stairway/ramp which ascends within the structure. The panoramic views
over the city are well worth the climb. The tower houses concert and
exhibition rooms and there are numerous classical concerts and art
exhibitions held here throughout the year.
The National Museum
Built in 1746 as a prince’s palace, the National Museum of Denmark was
renovated in the early 1990s. The museum has since lost much of its staid
atmosphere and taken on a more modern ambiance. It is divided into prehistoric,
medieval, Renaissance and 18th century sections and also features the royal
collection of coins and medals, classical antiques, the ethnographic collection,
the 'please touch' display on Greenland and the children's museum.
The museum is so big that it is virtually impossible to see everything in one day.
One of the museum’s most famous collections is the Inuit treasure collection,
one of the oldest and largest in the world with over 10,000 items displayed.
The Tycho Brahe Planetarium
The Tycho Brahe Planetarium is housed in an amazing cylindrical shaped building.
It opened in 1989 and is the county’s foremost planetarium. It houses a
permanent exhibition of astronomy and space travel where visitors learn through
highly interactive and technologically advanced displays. Investigate, explore
and learn about some of the many mysteries of space. The planetarium also houses
an Omnimax cinema. With its 1,000 square meter screen, it is highly exhilarating
and well worth a look.
The Free City of Christiania
Set up in 1971, the Free City of Christiania is a 20 acre
‘alternative’ society or enclave, located right in the middle of
Copenhagen. About 1,000 non-tax paying citizens of Copenhagen
(mainly hippies, artists, and political activists) live in Christiania
which is a former-military barracks. There is plenty to see and do here
with restaurants, coffee bars, shops and music venues attracting people
from all over Denmark and the world. A visit to Christiania is an
interesting and worthwhile experience, although it is not for the
prudish or easily offended.
The Erotica Museum
If the free city of Christiania is not your scene, then stay well away
from the Erotica Museum! Established nearly 30 years ago when Denmark
first liberalized pornography, (the first county in the world to do so)
the museum is the oldest ‘serious’ erotica museum in the world.
It traces erotic history from ancient times to the present day.
Exhibits include erotic paintings, postcards, photos, films, magazines,
sculptures, sex-toys and much, much more. It also features lifelike
tableaux of the history of erotica with scenes from the days of ancient
Rome through the 19th century as well as details of the sex lives of the
rich and famous.
Frederikskirke (The Marble Church)
The 200 year old Frederikskirke or Marble Church is more impressive
than Copenhagen Cathedral. Originally designed to rival St. Peter's
in Rome, the church took over 100 years to build (due to budget restrictions)
and features one of the largest copper domes in the world. Around the exterior
are 16 statues of a range of religious leaders from Moses to Luther, and below
them are sculptures of eminent Danish ministers and bishops. If you’re
feeling fit, you can climb the 273 steps to the outdoor balcony and gaze at
the beautiful view.
The Royal Cast Collections (Den Kongelige Afstøbningssamling)Den
Kongelige Afstøbningssamling is a collection of about 2,000 casts of masterpieces
from 2500 B.C. until 1600 A.D. It is one of the oldest and
largest cast collections in the world. Founded in 1895, the collection
has recently moved from its home to Vestindisk Pakhus, a restored
warehouse overlooking Copenhagen harbour. You can see casts masters
from museums located all over the world without ever leaving the building.
The collection includes enormous Egyptian sphinxes, the Venus de Milo, the
Pergamon altar, and marble sculptures from the temples of the Acropolis in
Athens. Most of the collection was assembled between 1870 and 1915 by leading
European plaster workshops.
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