Page 644 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

642  SC ANDINA VIA

8 Nyhavn
Kongens Nytorv. @ 1A, 26, 3505. 4
991, 992.
A narrow canal flanked by a wide
promenade, Nyhavn (New
Harbor) was originally built 300
years ago to attract trade. It leads
up to Kongens Nytorv (King’s
New Square). For much of its
history, the district was far from
inviting, being mainly frequented
by sailors, but after the 1970s, the
area was trans formed. The
harbor is lined either side with
brightly painted town houses,
a number of which date from
the 18th century. Author Hans Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s picturesque and popular harborside promenade
Christian Andersen lived in three
of them (numbers 18, 20, and Rococo buildings arranged Peter’s in Rome. Its construction
67). Shops, restaurants, and bars symmetrically around a large was begun in 1749 with
have replaced all but one of cobbled square with an expensive Norwegian marble,
the tattoo parlors that used to imposing equestrian statue but was not completed until
be here. of Frederik V in the middle. 150 years later (with less
The attractive buildings, as Changing of the guard takes expensive Danish limestone)
well as the dozens of old place every day at noon outside owing to the huge costs
wooden sailing ships moored the palace of the present queen, incurred. Inside, the church is
on the water, make Nyhavn a Margrethe II. The buildings have decorated with many frescoes
lively and picturesque place to housed the Danish royal family and statues.
spend an hour or two enjoying since 1874. Only one of them,
a meal or a beer, at least in the Christian VIII’s Palace, is currently 0 Little Mermaid
summer months. It is also a open to the public. It houses
good starting point for seeing the Amalienborg museum – the Langelinie. £ Østerport. @ 1A, 26,
the city, as some boat tours of museum of the Danish then a short walk. 4 901, 902.
the canals leave from here. monarchy. It is home to part of
the Royal Collection, the bulk of The subject of many Danish
which is housed at Rosenborg postcards, the Little Mermaid
Slot, and some of the official (Den Lille Havfrue) has become
and private rooms are open to the emblem of Copenhagen
the public. The highlights are and is much visited by tourists.
the study of King Christian IX Sitting on a stone by the
(1818–1906) and the drawing promenade at Langelinie, and
room of his wife, Queen looking out over the Øresund,
Louise, which are filled she is difficult to spot from the
with family presents, road and smaller than her
photographs, and pictures would have
the occasional you believe. Sculpted
Fabergé treasure. by Edvard Erichsen
There are two and first unveiled in
attractive but contrasting 1913, this bronze
Changing of Queen Margrethe’s views from the statue was inspired
guard, Amalienborg square. On the by the Hans Christian
harborside is Andersen
9 Amalienborg Amaliehaven character, who
Amaliegade. Tel 33 12 21 86. (Amalia’s Garden), left the sea after
£ Østerport. @ 1A, 26. 4 991, 992. dating from 1983 falling in love
Open May–Oct: daily; Nov–Apr: Tue– and with a fountain with a prince. The
Sun. Closed Dec 23–26 & 31. & for in its center; in the Copenhagen’s emblem, mermaid has
museum. 8 call in advance. 7 opposite direction the Little Mermaid suffered over the
Changing of the guard: noon daily. is Marmorkirken, a years at the hands
∑ royalpalaces.dk white marble church officially of mischievous pranksters, even
known as Frederikskirken, losing her head and an arm.
The Amalienborg (Amalia’s which has one of Europe’s Happily, she is currently in
Castle) consists of four identical largest domes, inspired by St. possession of all her “parts.”
For hotels and restaurants see p648 and p649

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