Nyhavn

The much-photographed Nyhavn - New Harbor - neighborhood of Copenhagen. Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) set down his fairy tales while living in two residences on this street. [Among his beloved stories are "The Ugly Duckling", "The Brave Tin Soldier", and "The Little Mermaid".] Not far away is the famous bronze statue of The Little Mermaid, basking on a rock in the harbor. Nyhavn is now home to restaurants and clamorous pubs; there were lots of spectacularly drunk natives here when I passed through ;)

Like a baywalk, seen in other countries....

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid - the sight most tourists coming to Copenhagen wants to see. The statue is life size, sculptured partly after a ballet dancer in the year 1913, Fini Henriques, partly after the sculptor's wife. It's a few hundred meters South of the cruise quay, Langelinje in Copenhagen Harbour. Words that were heard - What a nice prototype - where is the real one! - obviously indication the size of it.

It all started in the 12th century

From the Viking Age there was a fishing village by the name of "Havn" (harbour) at the site. From the middle of the 12th century it grew in importance after coming into the possession of the Bishop Absalon, who fortified it in 1167, the year traditionally marking the foundation of Copenhagen. The excellent harbour encouraged Copenhagen's growth until it became an important centre of commerce (hence its name - the first part of the word denoting commerce in Danish language). It was repeatedly attacked by the Hanseatic League as the Germans took notice. In 1254, it received its charter as a city under Bishop Jakob Erlandsen.

Welcome to Denmark - welcome to Copenhagen


A look from the lakes