There is a special place in the middle of Copenhagen, an amusement park that now has almost 180 springs. Among the amusement parks, Tivoli occupies a unique position internationally, because anyone who thought that Tivoli is only worth a visit for lovers of spectacular attractions is doing themselves a disservice. With its own unique atmosphere and charm, Tivoli knows how to win over every visitor. During the day it is a park where local people seek peace and quiet. In the evening it is a vibrant amusement park, where parties take place and open-air concerts are regularly given. The southeast corner of Tivoli is home to modern attractions, but those who enter the park from the main entrance on Vesterbrogade will see a completely different side of Tivoli. This garden, illuminated by 115,000 bulbs, is on the one hand an amusement park but at the same time also the place where parents walk with their children in the afternoon and young and old enjoy the sun or an ice cream. The garden accommodates theaters, restaurants, playgrounds, cafes and many other things that, combined, make Tivoli a unique experience. The described tranquility usually occurs at the beginning of the afternoon, during the afternoon enthusiasts of the attractions enter the park and in the evening the garden is the backdrop to many parties, in whatever context.
The beginning
In 1841, the founder of Tivoli, Georg Carstensen, received permission from King Christian VIII to build an amusement park just outside the city walls of Copenhagen. Construction work started on May 1, 1843 and Tivoli opened its gates on August 15 of the same year. In that first, short season, no fewer than 175,000 people visited the amusement park, an unprecedented success. Hans Christian Andersen, who visits the park just before the closure of this first season, is inspired in Tivoli to write the fairy tale The Chinese Nightingale.
The old Tivoli
Although construction of Tivoli began in 1843, no buildings from this period have been preserved, as they were constructed of wood or leather. The oldest existing building is the Pantomine Theater from 1874, where Pierrot and Harlequin still fight out their feuds every day during the season. Together with the Japanese tower (1900) and Nimb (1909), these three buildings form the icons of Tivoli. The well-known main entrance on the Vesterbrogade dates from 1890. The frigate Sct. George III in Lake Tivoli (the lake is a remnant of the moat that surrounded the old city), is the third ship to be located at this location. The first nave was installed in 1887, the current and third nave have been there since 1993. Most of Tivoli’s most striking buildings date from the last decades of the 19th century.
Attractions
The Tivoli of 1843 had two attractions, a carousel and a slide. As technology developed, Tivoli’s attractions also became more advanced, although some classics have stood the test of time. For example, the Tivoli wooden roller coaster, built in 1914, is one of the world’s oldest functioning roller coasters. The balloon swing (ballongyngen) from 1943 is another classic. Tivoli, located on the edge of Copenhagen’s old center, is surrounded on all sides by main roads and will not be able to expand, which is why attractions regularly disappear in favor of newer variants. This not only keeps Tivoli up to date when it comes to the latest trends in (spectacular) attractions, but the offering also remains varied.
Free entertainment
One of the concepts that Tivoli has managed to stick to since its opening is free entertainment once the entrance fee has been paid. Although the attractions have to be paid for , performances take place daily and are open to everyone. The Fredagsrock (Rock on Friday) has been attracting many music lovers to the old garden for years. The performances in the pantomine theater, the Tivoli Garden (a brass band made up of children that regularly march through the garden), the fireworks and the unique ambiance make Tivoli a place worth seeing for everyone, even those who don’t like roller coasters. holds.
In the summer season (from April to September), Tivoli welcomes approximately 3 million guests annually. Out of season, Tivoli is visited by 300,000 and 800,000 guests respectively during Halloween in Tivoli and Christmas in Tivoli .
Tivoli
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