The Little Mermaid: the small statue in Copenhagen, known from the fairy tale. But anyone visiting Copenhagen would be wise to look further. In addition to this famous statue, the city has many more sights that are worth seeing.
A few facts
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and is located on the island of Zealand. The city has more than 500,000 inhabitants and the Municipality of Copenhagen even has more than a million inhabitants. This makes Copenhagen the largest city in Denmark. Copenhagen was originally a merchant port. There is now almost no industry left in the city and Copenhagen is no longer a port city. The city is a popular place for tourists and city lovers.
Tivoli
The famous Tivoli theme park is located in the center of Copenhagen. The park was founded in 1843 by Georg Carstensen who felt that the residents of Copenhagen needed entertainment. The park indeed offers entertainment for young and old. There are plenty of exciting and fast attractions, but there is also plenty to see and look around. The park is often open in the evening and you can enjoy the many lights in the park. During the summer months there are often live performances, so the park is also very suitable for visitors who do not like roller coasters.
The little Mermaid
Just outside the center of Copenhagen is the statue of the Little Mermaid on the Langelinie. In the water, on a rock, she looks out over the water. The statue was made in 1913 by the sculptor Edward Eriksen and refers to the famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen.
The fairy tale
Ariel, a mermaid, falls in love with the prince whose life she saves. To grow legs like the prince, she visits the sea witch. In exchange for her beautiful voice she gets legs. The prince is impressed by Ariel, but does not see her as a future bride. Eventually the prince finds another bride who he thinks saved him. Ariel can’t tell him that was her, as the sea witch took her tongue in exchange for legs. The fairy tale ends badly for Ariel, with the result that she is still in Copenhagen, on top of a boulder, looking out for her prince.
But there is more to see!
Copenhagen is a versatile city. In addition to the famous Tivoli and The Little Mermaid, the city has many more sights. Below is a list of a number of examples that are certainly worthwhile.
Radhus
The beautiful Copenhagen City Hall, right opposite the station. The building has been there since 1905 and the architect, Martin Nyrop, was inspired by the Siena Town Hall and Big Ben in London. It is certainly worthwhile to view the building from the inside and enjoy the many murals and old ceilings.
Stroget
Copenhagen’s famous and long shopping street, full of nice shops, boutiques and street entertainment.
Gammeltorv & Nytorv
Gammeltorv & Nytorv are two squares, separated by Copenhagen’s shopping street ‘Stroget’.
Gammeltorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen and has existed since the Middle Ages. Previously, this square was the meeting square of Copenhagen. The Town Hall was located on this square, as was the daily market. After a major fire in 1795, when the Town Hall burned down, a new Town Hall was built on Nytorv, combining the two squares into one square. Even though it is now one square, it is still clearly visible that this square originally consisted of two separate squares.
Christiansborg
Christiansborg was originally called ‘Absalon’s Castle’ and then ‘Copenhagen Castle’. Previously it had always been occupied by the royal family, but in the fire of 1794 the castle burned down and the royal family was forced to move. Christiansborg was built, but when the building was finished, the royal family already lived on Amalienborg. She didn’t move back.
Now Christiansborg is Denmark’s parliament building. It is also the high court building and the Prime Minister’s chambers are located here. Below the building are the ruins of ‘Absalon’s Castle’ and ‘Copenhagen Castle’. It is also worthwhile to visit the gardens of the Royal Library. These can be found next to the stately Christiansborg.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is the port of Copenhagen and is now mainly a tourist attraction. There are several cafes and restaurants along the Nyhavn and the appearance of the harbor is very pleasant. The terraces are especially crowded in the summer. Some buildings on Nyhavn are 300 years old. Furthermore, the fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in various buildings on Nyhavn.
Amalienborg
Amalienborg is the palace of the Royal family and consists of 4 palaces. Queen Margaretha II lives here with Prince Henri. The Crown Prince, Prince Frederik, also lives in Amalienborg with his family. There is also a museum in the part where the Crown Prince lives. The Royal family has lived in Amalienborg since 1794. Before that time, before the fire of 1794, Christiansborg was the Royal House.
There is a statue of Frederick V in the middle of Amalienborg’s square. It took a total of 17 years before this statue was finished. Royal Guard guards can always be seen on the square. There is a changing of the guard every day at 12 noon, while positions are changed every 2 hours.