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June 28, 2004
Kongens Nytorv 2003-2005
The 300 year-old "New Royal Square" has been getting a makeover for the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's birthday. When finished, there will be something like 1,000,000 granite cobblestones making up the new paved areas.
Some of the most famous places in Copenhagen (apart from Tivoli and Christiania, of course) surround Kongens Nytorv ...
No. 1
Charlottenborg, which is home to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The building is from the late 1600s, and the Academy are celebrating their 250th anniversary this year with exhibitions and other events.
No. 9
Det Kongelige Teater (The Royal Theatre). Built in 1872, its main doors are "guarded" by statues of playwright Ludvig Holberg and poet Adam Oehlenschläger. Currently the setting for most ballet, theatre and opera in the city, although a huge new opera house opens on the other side of the canal in 2005, and a new theatre is opening on Kvæsthusbroen in 2007.
No. 13
Magasin du Nord. Big department store in an impressive building. Expensive stuff, designer labels, cafés and an excellent food store in the basement. Did I mention it was expensive?
No. 17
Café à Porta. Built in 1857, shut down in 1973, and reopened under new ownership in 1999. Excellent coffee. Also, pricey!
No. 19
Hviid's Vinstue. Built in 1723. One of the oldest pubs in Copenhagen. Still has the original bar staff. Only joking.
No. 34
Hotel D'Angleterre (yes, they spell it with a capital "D"). Perhaps the most exclusive and expensive hotel in Copenhagen. If you're Maddona/Clint Eastwood and you want to stay in Copenhagen, where do you go? No prizes for guessing. The building dates from 1792 and has hosted politicians as well as celebs, including Winston Churchill and Otto von Bismarck (although perhaps not at the same time).
No. 4
The Thott Mansion. Built in 1683 by Danish naval hero Niels Juel, since 1930 this building has housed the French Embassy. I don't want to be undiplomatic, but, splendid building though it is, it really could do with a bit of replastering and paint. Come on you French!
Nyhavn
Built in 1673, the Nyhavn canal area now bustles with tourists and locals who frequent the many outdoor bars and restaurants on sunny days. Several canal and harbour boat tours also start and end here (DFDS for example).
Posted by daen at June 28, 2004 10:59 PM