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Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Scandinavia's largest and most cosmopolitan city. It is steeped in history, having been the key gateway from Scandinavia to the rest of Europe for centuries, while reinventing itself as a modern metropolis and design mecca.
This article will provide you with several of central Copenhagen's top destinations to take in the history, culture and design of this incredible Scandinavian capital.
Radhuspladsen
Located at Radhuspladsen is Copenhagen's City Hall, opened in 1905 and inspired by the City Hall in Siena, Italy. Above the entrance is a gold statue of Absalon, a medieval archbishop and Danish statesman. There are a number of other notable sculpture in City Hall Square, including the Dragon Fountain, the Lur Blowers, the Weather Girl and a sculpture of Danish author Hans Christian Anderssen. Also located in the Radhuspladsen is the Dansk Design Center, which provides meeting space for design professionals while hosting exhibits on Danish industrial and furniture design.
Vor Frue Kirke
Vor Frue Kirke (Our Lady's Church) is Copenhagen's cathedral and is surrounded by Copenhagen University. The current church building was completed in 1829 in the neoclassical style. It is notable for housing sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen's masterpieces, Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. Thorvaldsen's portryal of Jesus, with open arms, has become the world's most popular model for Jesus sculptures.
Round Tower (Rundetarn)
This medival tower provides one of the best vantage points to admire Copenhagen's skyline of red-tiled rooftops and green copper towers. Arguably the oldest continuously operating astronomical observatory in Europe, the tower was built in 1642. The top is accessed by a wide spiral walkway.
Museum Erotica
This museum, a short walk north from the Round Tower, celebrates Scandinavia's emancipated sex culture and charts the history of pornography from medieval times to the present day through video, displays, and art.
Just west, head north on Oster Volgade to a number of Copenhagen's top museums. Rosenborg Slot, the Statens Museum for Kunst and the Botanisk Have are all clustered in a series of public parks and gardens where city residents flock in the warmer months.
Rosenborg Slot
Rosenborg Slot is an atmospheric early 17th century castle, set among Rennaissance gardens and surrounded by a moat. The inside is open to the public and presents artifacts from the royal family since that time. Of particular note is the Treasury, which houses the spectacular Danish crown jewels.
Botanisk Have
The national Botanical Garden is located near Rosenborg Slot. In addition to expansive outdoor gardens that creatively utilize the ruins of the city's original battlements and moat, there is an enclose Palmehus (Palm house) which displays a lush collection of tropical plants, an orchid house with over 500 varieties, and a cactus collection.
Statens Museum for Kunst
The National Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Denmark. The collection is encyclopedic, covering seven centuries of European art. In addition to housing the largest collection of Danish art in the world, there are old masters from the Dutch and Flemish schools as well as impressionist and modern works by Degas, Matisse, Munch and Picasso.
Asistens Kirekegard
This park and cemetary located in Norrebro is the last resting place of many of Denmark's most prominent citizens, including philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, physicist Niels Bohr, author Hans Christian Andersen, and artists Jens Juel and CW Eckersberg.
Heading East, toward the harbor, you will come upon Amalienborg Palace and Marmokirken.
Amalienborg Slot
Amalienborg, the royal residence, is actually four mansions facing surrounding a public plaza. One mansion is open to the public, with a museum of period rooms. Be sure to catch the changing of the guard at noon in the grand octagonal plaza at the center or Amelienborg Slot.
Marmokirken
This domed round church was commissioned in 1749 by King Frederick V, but was not finished until Denmark's wealthiest 19th century financier, CF Tietgen funded the remainder of the project. Its massive dome was inspired by St. Peter's in Rome. The exterior displays statues of Danish theologians and saints.
The Little Mermaid
No visit to Denmark would be complete without a visit to the Little Mermaid statue on the harbor in Copenhagen. Depicting one of the most memorable characters from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, this small statue is located in the Kastellet area, just a short walk along the harbor from Amelienborg.
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