Copenhagen, 2013's Most Liveable City in the World

The rain stopped when we woke up this morning and so we decided on a road trip to explore one of our favorite cities, Copenhagen.  Over a million people live here but the city center is very compact and very walkable.  We spent over 6 hours walking around, enjoying the sights. 

Copenhagen is located on the eastern coast of Denmark's largest island, Zealand.  Copenhagen was founded in the 10th century and became a major Viking fishing village.  It became Denmark's capital in the 15th century.  As someone that disagrees with what Mayor Robinson is doing to Vancouver with the installation of all the bicycle paths, I have to admit that it works in Copenhagen.  They have been focusing on bicycle and pedestrian traffic corridors since 1962 and it is now very well received, even by the motoring public.

Amagestorv (Amagir Square) is one of the oldest areas in the city as it was a produce market in the 1470's.  It is now part of the Stroget Pedestrian Zone in the heart of Copenhagen which is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe.  Due to the success of the Stroget Pedestrian Zone it has expanded from 15,800 sq. meters (170,070 sq. ft.) in 1962 to just over 100,000 sq. meters (1,076,391sq, ft,) today

The Danish Palace Guards being marched back to their barracks from their post at Amalienborg Palace, winter home to the Danish Royal Family

Nyhavn (new harbor) was built in 1670 as a shelter for ships from storms and to easily bring building supplies to central Copenhagen.  Today the colorfully restored buildings house restaurants, cafes and bars with the canal being mostly used for tour boats and yacht charters that all cater to the hordes of tourists that visit the area 12 months of the year

Looking at Frederiks Church from Amalienborg Palace Square.  The Church is known as the Marble Church due to its walls being built of solid Norwegian marble. The foundation stone was laid in 1749 by King Frederik V and construction was slow due to its high costs.  In 1760 construction was halted at 20 meters (65 ft.) due to budget constraints and was left that way until 1874 when construction once again commenced, using the original drawings, and was finally completed in 1894 

Nybodor (new small houses) is a historic row house district of former naval barracks built by King Christian V between 1631 - 1657 for enlisted sailors and their families.  They are now privately owned, many by former Danish military members

Rosenborg Castle was built in 1606 as a summer house for King Christian 1V in the Dutch Renaissance style and is located in the Kings Gardens, the most visited park in Copenhagen
 

Castle of Kings

Decided to get out and absorb some more Danish culture today and went to Frederiksborg Castle, the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia.  It is situated on three small islands within Castle Lake in the city of Hillerod, about a 30 minute drive from where we are staying.  King Frederik 11 was looking for a summer residence with a hunting forest to be able to escape Copenhagen and its overwhelming stench during the summer months.  In 1560 he obtained the property in Hillerod and created Frederiksborg Castle.  However, it was his son, Christian 1V, who was born at the castle in  1577 that created most of what we see today between 1602 - 1620.  After Christian 1V passed away in 1648 the castle was only used for ceremonial events until 1850 when it was once again used as a residence by King Frederik V11.  On December 16, 1859 s fire destroyed a large part of the main palace interior.  The fire was considered a national disaster and renovations were started in January, 1860 and were funded by public contributions with large sums coming from the King and State.  J.C. Jacobson, the founder of Carlsberg Brewery, also contributed substantial funds as well as being instrumental in the founding of the National History Museum Trust that now occupies and runs Frederiksborg Castle.  

Frederiksborg Castle with the lake and part of its Baroque Gardens originally built in 1720.  In 1995 the restoration of the gardens was started using the original architectural drawings

View of the Castle from the walkway that goes around Castle Lake

 

 Approaching Fredriksborg Castle from the Castle Lake entrance

 

View of Fredriksborg Castle from the outer courtyard with Neptune's Fountain built in 1614 in the foreground.  The Chapel with it's Bell Tower is on the left, the King's Wing in the center and the Princess's wing on the right.  There is also accommodation for visiting emissaries and government staff who would have to accompany the King when he left Copenhagen to continue running the country

The Bath House built by Frederik 11in 1570 is about 250 meters from the castle in part of the hunting forest sitting along side a small lake and was usually used after a hunt.  The bath room is the largest room on the ground floor and its ceiling, walls and floor were lined with pewter so the whole room could be filled with steam.  The building also has a kitchen, dining room and bedrooms.