Where is the Little Mermaid?

A tongue-in-the-cheek look at the fact that many tourists are surprised at how small the world-famous statue actually is and many walk around asking where she is.

-RS

Knitted

This decorated bicycle was spotted near Kongens Nytorv. Recently the street art of CPH Knitters and Knit Bitch has been adorning many public spaces and trees in them. Anyone going past Nørreport station would have come across their work.

I wonder if this bicycle belongs to one of them?

-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

The Aller Building

 

In the Copenhagen Harbour areas buildings have been shooting up since the ships moved outside of the city. At Kalvebod Brygge (Brygge being the Danish word for wharf) this building housing the Aller Media Co. has an appropriate form, looking almost like a ship.

Where the tea lady comes from

During the First World War the Germans started referring to their horse-drawn field kitchens as "Gulaschkanone" which translates to Goulash Cannons. Even today you will find military men referring to modern kitchens as such. (The photo is from the military museum at Christiansborg.)

Later, larger trailers evolved and horses were phased out in favour of motorised vehicles more capable of towing heavier loads. In World War Two these mobile canteens were used as a morale booster in the United Kingdom. The culture of the tea break, and in particular as a result of the successful wartime experiment on productivity and morale, the tea lady was born.

Believe it or not!

-RS

That's runners for you!

While walking through Søndermarken park near Valby and Frederiksberg I was astonished to see these runners who seem to have started out feeling cold and gradually warmed up but then had to strip down and carry their warm clothes.

May I never feel the need for such extreme exercise...

-RS

In for repairs

While on a walk near Sluseholmen I came across this interesting sight. Someone had towed a houseboat a few kilometres from its mooring in Christianshavn to here for refurbishment. I could only find someone from the nearby boat repair shop and was told that the houseboat had been sold and was being refurbished for its new owners.

How cool is that? You buy a place and it gets towed away only to come back all spanky new?

-RS

Like a fish out of the water

The Copenhagen Zoo is situated in Frederiksberg and is located on just over 11 hectares next to Frederiksberg Slot. It was founded in 1859 and is one of the oldest zoos in Europe.

It is the only zoo outside of Australia that has Tasmanian Devils in captivity and also has rare species such as the Okapi, Musk Ox and Amur Leopard.

In this photograph one can see the zebra in winter time with the characteristic Zoo Tower from 1905, an observation tower built entirely out of wood in the background.

-RS

The Citadel

Kastellet, located in the old part of Copenhagen, is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Northern Europe. It was constructed by King Christian IV of Denmark in 1626 with the building of an advanced post, Sankt Annæ Skanse. It was developed over time and today the Citadel is still owned by the Danish Defence Ministry and is an active military area.

The photograph shows the southern gate, known as the King's Gate.

-RS

Marble Church

Frederick's Church, popularly known as The Marble Church (Danish: Marmorkirken) is located just north of Amalienborg Palace. The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1749 by Frederick V of whom an equestrian statue stands in the palace complex.

The inspiration for this church was probably St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and it has the largest church dome in Scandinanvia.

-RS

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