Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Copenhagen

32 ❯❯ Top 10 Copenhagen Highlights

Slotsholmen

The small fishing village of Copenhagen was founded on the island
of Slotsholmen in the 12th century. Bishop Absalon, the king’s
friend, built a castle here in 1167. Two centuries later, the castle
was destroyed by the Hanseatic League, the European trade
alliance, which resented Copenhagen’s increasing control over
trade. Christiansborg Slot, which stands here today, is home to the
Danish Parliament, the Jewish Museum and the Palace Church.
Christianborg
1
Tårnet
At 106 m (348 ft), the
tower of Christiansborg
Slot is the highest in
Copenhagen and offers a
magnificent panoramic
view of the city. It is free
to enter (closed Monday),
but be sure to reserve in
advance if you want to
eat in the tower’s upscale
Nordic restaurant.
Christiansborg
2
Slotskirke
On the site of the original
18th-century church
destroyed in the fero cious
palace fire of 1794, this
Neo-Classical church was
Christiansborg
Tøjhusmuseet
built in 1813–26 (see p39). 4 5
However, a fire broke out Built as an arsenal Slot
in 1992 and destroyed in 1604–8, the Royal Designed in a Neo-
its roof, dome and even Danish Arsenal Museum Baroque style in 1907–28,
parts of the interior. is filled with artillery this palace houses the
A service is held here guns. The Armoury Hall Folketinget (the
in October to mark the has 7,000 hand weapons, Parliament), the Prime
opening of Parliament. some from the 1300s. Minister’s apartment, the
High Court and the State
Thorvaldsens Museum
3 Rooms (above) used by
This museum is home to almost all of the
the royal family for func-
works and some of the personal belongings of tions – note the marble-
Danish sculp tor Bertel Thorvaldsen (see p45). In and silk-adorned Throne
the entrance hall (below) are the original plaster Room and Great Hall.
casts of his most famous pieces.
Teatermuseet
6
This delightful
court theatre, above
the Royal Stables, was
established in 1767. Now
a museum (see p44), it
depicts Danish theatre
in the 18th and 19th
centuries. Visitors can
also walk onto the stage.

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