Locks of love

I've noticed these locks on bridges in many places in Europe and in the beginning they baffled me, I must admit. Apparently couples put them up and throw away the key to symbolize eternal love. Now the locks have come to Copenhagen, though not as mainstream as in i.e. Eastern Europe. These few locks have been placed on the bridge across Nyhavn, but who knows, it might catch on here in the next few years. We have enough bridges to last a few lifetimes.

Locks of love

The tradition where couples place locks on a bridge as a symbol of their undying love has also hit Copenhagen, though it's not as massive as I've seen in Vilnius, Budapest and Frankfurt. These locks are placed on the bridge crossing Nyhavn.

Delayed

 

The Inner Harbour Bridge and the three other smaller bridges that will connect Nyhavn with Holmen and Christianshavn are delayed. They should have been ready in February but it will be at least October before pedestrians and bicyclists can make use of the shortcut across the harbour and canals. Apparently the construction of the steel elements has been the big stumbling stone for this 200 million DKR project.

 

Finding the perfect spot

If you own a camera (and who doesn't in this day and age) finding the right spot for your shooting is always the trick. At Nyhavn, one of the must-sees for for all tourists in Copenhagen, the spot seems to be on top of the public restrooms, as you can get high and clear a lot of the clutter of harbour front. Another spot here is the bridge at the far end of the harbour.

The sun is here

Whenever the sun is shining in Copenhagen, people crowd the outdoor serving places everywhere, even if the temperature is below freezing. This photo is from Saturday in the Nyhavn, which is one of the traditional places to go when there's a bit of sun.

Please find a toilet

Walking through central Copenhagen on a Saturday or Sunday morning might remind sensitive people how Copenhagen was before the sewers were common. It seems like there's way too few toilets around for public use as the stink of urine will greet you and your nose every time you pass a stair well, a dark gate or anywhere else, where someone thought it was appropriate to pass water. The actual problem in my opinion is not the lack of public restrooms, but the lack of good manners in a lot of people.

Sailing to the fort

 

Just outside Copenhagen Harbour is a fortress called Flakfortet, one of three island-fortresses built to defend the harbour against naval attack in the 19th century. To get there you have to sail with this boat which leaves from the end of Nyhavn during the summer months. On the island there's a little harbour and a restaurant.

A third bridge under way

A third bridge across the harbour of Copenhagen is under way. When it and the two other smaller bridges are finished in 2013, it will be possibly to cross the harbour on foot or on bicycle from Nyhavn to the Opera. The placement of these bridges has been the cause of much debate, mainly from the boating people that fear that their movement will be impeded.

Nyhavn 17

 

If you're invited for a beer at Nyhavn 17 don't expect that you'll be sitting at a nice bar or restaurant. No, this will be a quayside beer, usually bought for cheap in a kiosk in a side street next to Nyhavn 17 and enjoyed while sitting with your feet dangling over the water of the harbour as you watch people stroll by. Pure bliss on a hot summer day.

Pretty window

This window is on Nyhavn Harbour in central Copenhagen. The 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district has so much detail!


-RS

Denmark's latest bridge under construction

This photo was taken recently and shows the new pedestrian and cycle bridge which will connect Nyhavn and Christianshavn. The project is part of an effort to tie the various parts of Copenhagen together. This will make it easier for locals and tourists to enjoy the relatively unique and different feel each area has.

-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.

Little Mermaid alert!

Now what would a photo taken towards the eastern side of Nyhavn (known as the "Sunny Side" by locals) have in relation to the world-famous statue in Langelinje?

Well, H.C. Andersen the writer of the tale lived on this side of the harbour for quite a while and, the word on the blue building on the right hand side of the picture Havfruen means The Mermaid in Danish.

Danish Halloween

One Sunday two years ago I came across swimmers who had cut a hole in the ice in among the boats in Nyhavn.In a country where people take pride in swimming all year round I didn't think much of it. That is, until I saw a small barrel being strung up and the participants hitting at it with a stick!

And so I got to know about Fastelavn, a Nordic tradition similar to Halloween. The day, which always occurs seven weeks before Easter, is sometimes described as the Nordic Halloween as children dress up in costumes and get treats.

What I saw was ‘hitting the cat out of the barrel’ (slå katten af tønden). In old days there was an actual black cat inside the barrel, and beating the barrel was superstitiously considered a safeguard against evil.

Today, the cat has been relaced by oranges and sweets. Other Fastelavn traditions include eating the special Fastelavn bun with cream inside and icing on top, and also making a ‘Fastelavnsris’, a kind of whip made out of twigs that you decorate with paper cats and other things.

-R.S.

The "New" Harbour

This 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen is one of my favourite places in the city, especially in summer. However, on a sunny winter's day the colours of these beautiful buildings come to life!

Today's word is "Nyhavn" which means New Harbour and makes me smile considering its four hundred years ago that it was called that and the name stuck!

-RS

Still frozen over

March was a cold month in Copenhagen with the spring still struggling to get a foothold. The old harbour Nyhavn was frozen quite a bit into the month.

Enjoying the last rays of sunshine

From Gammel Strand and Nyhavn, every day of the year, one can catch a canal and harbour tour. These tourists are enjoying one of the last days of summer to explore Copenhagen by water. The tour takes you through the old and the new parts of Copenhagen. This photograph was taken near Knippelsbro.

Asian Lady on an Asian Elephant

Children happily interact with the exhibition and this young lady seems very happy to be riding an elephant. In her lifetime, however, the real ones are in serious danger of becoming extinct and this exhibition helps to create awareness of their plight. In the last 100 years, the number of Asian elephants in existence has fallen by 90%.

Indian Elephant in an Indian Garb

This elephant is near Nyhavn and is visited by thousands of tourists. The Asian elephant and the Asian themes depicted on it makes for a colourful display.

Mosha the World at your Feet
Kunstner: Jane Veveris Callan
Sponsor: Zoo København
Placering: Nyhavn

A New Bathtub in Nyhavn?

Yesterday I showed you a beautiful ship, the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, todays floating thing is IMHO not so nice to the eye. It's the Café Liva 2, a restaurant and theatre "ship" that has replaced an older version of this iron barge. Docked right in the middle of one of Copenhagen's best collections of old wooden ships, this one stands out like a sore thumb.