Christiansborg Palace

This imposing complex on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen is the only building in the world that houses all three of a country's branches of government: the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power.

The palace is open to the public after published schedule, with guided tours available.

-RS

City Hall

In the centre of Copenhagen is the municipal council as well as the offices of the Lord mayor of the Copenhagen Municipality.

The current building was inaugurated in 1905. It was designed by the architect Martin Nyrop in the National Romantic style but with inspiration from the Siena City Hall. It is dominated by its richly ornamented front, the gilded statue of Absalon just above the balcony and the tall, slim clock tower. The latter is at 105.6 metres one of the tallest buildings in the generally low city of Copenhagen.

Tourists can undertake guided or unguided tours at designated hours.

-RS

Rising with the sun

One good thing about the shorter days of winter is the comfort of getting to photograph sunrises without rising at ridiculous hours. This shot was taken in Nyhavn of Copenhagen just as the sun rose to send its rays along the harbour.

Taking precautions

The one downside of living in Copenhagen is bicycle theft. I know of very few people who have not had their bicycles stolen.

This store owner is taking no chances with this demonstration item! Even though it is near Nørreport station and quite high up on the building the store has had several attempts at theft.

-RS

Sunset at Copenhagen's latest hotel

With Copenhagen being a sea city and having a relatively unobstructed horizon sunsets can be stunning. Also, high-rise buildings are few and far between in the city centre but here in the Øresund district more skyscrapers add to the visual interest.

-RS

When winter came to Copenhagen

Even though this has been one of the warmest and most sunny winters in Denmark we did have a few weeks of hard frost, as this photo shows. It was even hard enough to make it possibly for people to walk on the canals like these two did on Christianshavn's Canal.

Location:Christianshavn

It is almost Spring

On this leap year day it is wonderful to see the first signs of Spring after a long, if mild, winter. The sun is rising earlier and setting later, there are more sunny days and the buds on the plants hint at a new beginning.

Today's word is the word for Spring which is forår, literally translating as "before year".

-RS

Just for love

"I love you!" is one of the earliest sentences which people want to learn in almost any language.

In Danish it is "Jeg elsker dig!"

-RS

Getting around in the winter

In the winter it is not unusual for the canals of the city to freeze up completely, even the ones leading to the sea from which most of the well-known pictures of Copenhagen are taken.

Even during the harshest winter public transport has to run and the waterbusses operate on the canals. These are a worthwhile alternative for tourists anytime of year as the same tickets you use for your metro, bus or rail transport is valid on these.

Today's word is is which means ice and also ice cream!

-RS

Frederiksberg Castle

In Copenhagen there is a commune called Frederiksberg and in the centre of the commune is this impressive building built on the highest point. Today it is the Royal Danish Army Officers Academy but this Baroque palace served as the royal family’s summer residence until the mid-19th century.

The Danish word for palace is slot.

-RS

Who let the cows out?

On many Danish farms cows are kept in barns over the winter period. In early Spring the cows are let out and many farms open to the public over that weekend to celebrate this.

This photo was taken on a farm near Frederiksund which has organic farming practices.

Today's word is ko and it is the Danish word for cow.

-RS

A word I first heard in Scotland

In Scotland people refer to a church as a kirk. I wondered about this and found that it seems to be a loan word from old Norse.


It shows how far and wide the Viking languages' influence can still be felt. Today the Danes use the word kirke and pronounce it not too dissimilar from the Scots.

This photo shows the St. Alban's Anglican Church in Copenhagen. This is the only Anglican church in Denmark and affectionately known locally as “The English Church".

-RS

The "King" in "Konge"

The place Kongens Nytorv and Kongens Have both show geographical points with a royal link. Konge means king in Danish. Both these areas are close to the current royal winter palaces situated at Amalienborg a few hundred metres away.

This photo is of the equestrian statue of King Frederik V, founder of Amalienborg Palace

The bus

The Germanic languages have the tendency to contract concepts quite a bit. In English one would say "the bus" when using the definite singular form but in Danish bussen means exactly this.

This photo was taken on a recent walk up Vesterbrogade with Christopher. This walk might feature later on this year as part of an upcoming series planned to showcase the diversity of the city. I hope you pop around to have a look at it.

-RS

Gefion

When you first come to a country, probably as a tourist, you see the beauty of the country superficially. When, however you have a bit more time or spend time living there you get to understand its mythology better.

So it was for me with this statue, that of the goddess Gefion, which is situated near Churchill Square in the Nordre Toldbod area next to Kastellet and immediately south of Langelinie.

In Norse mythology is a goddess associated with ploughing the Danish main island of Zealand out of a piece of Sweden which is a lake with a similar size and outline as Zealand. She is also associated with foreknowledge and virginity.

Gefion appears prominently as the allegorical mother of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in the forty-page Swedish Romantic poem Gefion, a Poem in Four Cantos by Eleonora Charlotta. It seems to have been the inspiration for the fountain statue by Anders Bundgård.


-RS