No matter how prim Denmark may seem to you, it will never cease to amaze with medieval monuments of architecture, modern complexes, incredible landscapes and a combination of modern technologies with traditional ones. For a great experience in Denmark, SMAPSE experts suggest you follow this route and visit 10 of the country's most famous landmarks.
Amalienborg
Amalienborg is one of the most beautiful palaces in Denmark, a visiting card of the country. The palace is located in the capital, Copenhagen, and its main feature is that today it serves as a residential building for Queen Margaret and her family.
The palace was built in 1760 on the site of a burnt down royal residence. The project was developed by the architect Nikolay Eyvedved. It is noteworthy that he did not immediately become an architect: his initial activity was caring for the royal garden on the island of Zealand. Eitved began his career as a gardener and finished as the founder of the Academy of Fine Arts at the residence of the king.
The palace complex consists of four buildings, each named after royalty:
- The first building is named after Christian VII
- The second is in honor of Christian VIII: today the royal library and reception rooms are located here
- The other 2 buildings are closed to tourists, and the royal family lives there.
The main attraction for visitors to Amalienborg is the daily midday changing of the royal guard. If the queen is in the palace, a flag flies during the changing of the guard, and the ceremony itself takes place according to an "extended" and more solemn protocol.
Copenhagen City Hall
The tallest building in the capital of Denmark is the town hall, which is 105 meters high. The building acquired the look we see today in 1905. By the way, tourists often compare the town hall with the colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg: 300 steps lead to the top of both, and there is no elevator.
There is a clock on the town hall that shows:
- Date
- Time
- Day of week
- Sunrise / sunset times
- Moon phase
- Data according to the church calendar
- Christian holiday of the day.
Legoland
You can't just go to Denmark with your children and not visit Legoland, they won't forgive you! Legoland is the world's first amusement park dedicated to the Lego corporation, opened in 1968 in the homeland of the designer, in the city of Billund. Today Legolands are being built all over the world, but the Danish remains the largest: it is built from 45 million cubes.
In the amusement park you will find:
- Thematic shops
- Restaurants attracting visitors with both European and national Swedish cuisine
- Themed entertainment areas: World of Duplo, World of Imagination, Legoredo City, Land of Pirates, Kingdom of Knights, World of Adventure
- Miniland is a miniature world full of the most popular attractions on the planet
- The world's largest Lego store.
Christiania
Plunge into the hippie world? Why not ... yes! Christiania is a free city, a real separate state located in one of the districts of Copenhagen. Tourists here plunge into another, opposite to prim Denmark world, feel the atmosphere of freedom, creativity and hippies. In Christiania, you can buy handmade souvenirs, watch the creation of masterpieces by free artists. You can get here by canal or on foot. It is allowed to take pictures outside the houses, inside - it is better to ask the owners.
Andersen Museum
When asked to name the most famous person in Denmark, the majority will answer "Hans Christian Andersen". In the capital there is a museum named after this man, in which there are no usual expositions and boring excursions - just a fairy tale.
During your visit, you will be able to:
- In the literal sense of the word, plunge into the life of the writer thanks to three-dimensional animation
- And even meet him himself: Andersen's wax figure settled at an oak table, watching the life of his beloved Copenhagen
- See paintings and drawings, sculptures and cartoons dedicated to your favorite works
- See fabulous video installations.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is a canal along which the embankment of the same name is located. Nyhavn Street is world famous for its colorful houses, moored ships and seagulls. Before World War II, Nyhavn was a port that was badly damaged during wartime and lost its strategic function. After its restoration, it was decided to turn the street into a tourist attraction, and the authorities did not fail: many come to the canal only to take a photo against the background of famous landscapes.
Carlsberg Glyptotek
The Carlsberg Glyptotek is Denmark's largest collection of art, founded in the 19th century by Carlsberg Carl Jacobsen. Carlsberg was the son of a brewer with a passion for art: it was his collection that formed the basis of the exhibition. In 1888, the man donated his collection to the authorities, who were not ready for such a generous turn of events - the Glyptotek building was built especially for this collection.
The exposition includes:
- 1900 artifacts from the times of Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece
- Etruscan collection of 950 marble statues, figurines and bas-reliefs
- Middle Eastern collection with artifacts from Persia, Mesopotamia, Levant and Anatolia
- French series
- Impressionist paintings
- Danish collection, which includes works by artists from the Golden Age of Denmark.
The Little Mermaid Sculpture
The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous characters in Denmark: it is not surprising that her bronze statue has become the country's hallmark. The idea of creating the sculpture belongs to the same Carl Jacobson, the creator of the Glyptotek. After visiting the ballet The Little Mermaid, he was so impressed that he suggested that Ellen Price pose and become the prototype of the statue. The choice fell on the sculptor Edward Eriksen. He agreed, but on one condition: it was not the ballerina who became the model, but his wife. The work lasted 4 years, and in 1913 the statue was solemnly installed on the Langelinie embankment.
Øresund bridge
Thanks to the Øresund Bridge, two powers are connected - Denmark and Sweden. The opening of the bridge took place in 2000 and was attended by the king and queen. The structure includes an island, an underwater tunnel, a highway and a railroad. The total length of the Eressund Bridge is 7 thousand meters.
Faroe islands
The Faroe Islands are 18 pieces of land that are considered Denmark, but have absolute autonomy. The islands are of volcanic origin, which explains their unevenness. A pastoral picture of sheep, farmhouses, farms and plantations is what you will see here. There will even be vegetation on the roofs of concert halls! A more idyllic rural life is hard to imagine.
