Travel Photo Diary of Copenhagen

Copenhagen Photo Diary

If you follow me on Instagram and read my last post on penny pinching tips in Copenhagen, you know that I scream from the rooftops on how fairy-tale like it is and its crazy expense. Yes, folks. Copenhagen is very expensive but a photo diary of the city in your records is definitely worth it to me.

Disclaimer: I love churches, cathedrals, colours, castles and nature so they will all be in this photo diary.

Without further ado, here is a photo diary of sights of beautiful Copenhagen.

 

Nyhavn

Everyone knows of the iconic colours of Nyhavn and this area is in every travel Instagrammers Copenhagen photo diary.

Amber Museum

 

The Amber Museum is at Nyhavn and free access is available with a Copenhagen Card or an entrance fee.

We see insects preserved in amber but how many know the origin of amber and the objects made from them?

I’m a backgammon pro and the smooth amber board arrests me because it’s so beautiful! There are amber figurines and jewellery worth a fortune for those with coin to spare.

The amber rock is the largest in the world discovered in 2014 in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It weighs 104 lbs and dates back to the tertiary period.

A lot of royal artifacts and jewellery are made from amber, ivory and tortoiseshell.

 

Marble Church or Frederik’s Church

This church is absolutely beautiful with its copper green dome and is in the line of sight of Amalienborg Palace.

In fact, I spot its dome from the palace and walk across to rest and pop DKK20 ($4) into collection.

The interior is stunning with a fresco, cathedral ceiling and religious adornments and it is very popular with newly-weds. After 1pm, you can view the city from the dome for DKK35 ($7).

 

Round Tower or Rundetaarns

Present in the Kultorvet area off Gothersgade, it was built by Christian IV between 1637-42 originally for astronomical observation. Entry is free with a Copenhagen Card and it is worth the climb.

The tower does what it says on the tin – it spirals – and there are no steps except a few towards the observation balcony.

It’s easier going down than up and I advise all to wear comfy walking shoes here and for Copenhagen in general.

Spiralling down (or up), you can visit pop-up stores and view historical attractions like a privy in use until 1902 connecting to canals in the wall and going down to a latrine.

Rundetaarns is connected to Trinity Church which you can enter freely to view its beautiful interior.

Rosenborg Castle

This is a 400-year old Renaissance palace built by Christian IV and it was his favourite palace and the site of many important events in his life.

The Palace is now a museum with royal artifacts once used by the monarchy and items currently in use by present monarchy for ceremonial functions.

There are three floors plus a basement full of everything from portraits of Kong (Danish for King) Christian and Queen Amelie to crowns, swords and even barrels of undrinkable wine. Lol.

Rosenborg Palace is on Gothersgade, near Norreport Station, and is within a huge park known as King’s Garden which reminds me of Kungsparken in Malmo that I write about here.

I mention earlier that amber, ivory and tortoiseshell were used for many royal figurines and jewellery in the past. There is a lot of ivory in the basement that cannot ever be worn in public by the current royal family.

Amalienborg Palace

This former palace once built for Queen Amelie is now a museum housing the private quarters of former royal families. You cannot miss the famous green dome of the Marble Church in the background so watch out for it.

If you visit at the right time, I believe it’s 12pm,  you can catch the changing of guard on the grounds.

Christiansborg Slot

This is the main residence of the current Danish royal family and is located quite a distance from Central Station.  A Copenhagen Card will get you free transit to the Palace or you can get off at Central Station and walk like I do.

The Palace extends past the picture above and includes royal stables and reception rooms in use by the Queen for formal events.

City Hall is on the way to Christiansborg from Central Station and Tivoli Gardens. You can climb up 300 steps to have a view of the city from its vantage point as it’s one of the tallest structures in Copenhagen but I am in no mood therefore I continue onward to Christiansborg Slot.

 

Charming Coloured Facades

I warned you about my obsession with these, didn’t I? Copenhagen, and in fact, all of Scandinavia, is replete with painted facades because I see the same in Malmo, Sweden, when I visit.

Copenhagen is full of beautiful facades in traditional colours like ochre and strong reds in addition to stucco, timber framing and brick.

I learn that most buildings within city centre were rebuilt after a fire in the 1790s and the type of material used determined which structure was affected by the fire.

I’m fascinated by their buildings and architecture and you can read more about this here.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen’s major city attraction and you definitely require a Copenhagen card for free entry as tickets are not cheap.

There are roller-coasters, carousels, food stalls in fairy-tale like structures, peacocks and many more. Every season sees something different here and I’m glad I’m visiting during spring.

I was hoping to catch the peacocks fanning their plumage but they were being snobbish. Lol.

One notable thing about Copenhagen is their green lifestyle from bike riding to recycling. This structure is for recycling tea and coffee cups and I did not spy one cup in dustbins. Impressive!

You insert the cup into the slot and receive DKK5 ($1) in return! If that isn’t a prime incentive to recycle, I don’t know what is.

Sculptures

This sculpture unveiled on the waterfront by two black women artists (one from Denmark and the other from the U.S. Virgin Islands) represents three enslaved women on the V.I. who rebelled against captivity. One woman was captured by the Danish and brought to Copenhagen to be imprisoned.

Many people don’t realize that the U.S. V.I. is the former Danish colony of Danish West Indies and in fact, 2017 was the Centennial of the sale of the island to the U.S. thus becoming the U.S. V.I.

The Centennial forced Denmark to accept their role in slavery which was hard to do as many Danes don’t think they were as powerful or cruel as Great Britain, France, Spain and the U.S. It is fascinating to hear.

The plaque reads “I am Queen Mary. A hybrid of bodies, nations and narratives.”

Walkable Neighbourhoods

Christianshavn

It is my intention to visit Christiana, an independent neighbourhood claiming to be exempt from government control, but some locals discourage me by mentioning police raids within Christiana dangerous for women.

As a solo black female, I’m very cautious everywhere so I explore round the metro and side streets and return to Kongens Nytorv.

Street Art

These drawings are on scaffolding boards around construction sites and is a great idea for beautification in major cities.

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