A Walk Around Town

The first day in Copenhagen, and Will and his co-worker, Spenser, were able to join! We took the metro into Kongens Nytorv and were greeted by the Magasin du Nord,  a magnificent department store.  It is located in a building that was once the Hotel du Nord, where the city's favorite son, Hans Christian Anderson, lived from 1838-47.  He lived there as it was directly across the street from the theater, which is undergoing some renovations and so is covered by an large advertisment for Royal Copenhagen pottery.  They were kidding about it being hand-painted since whenver--even their ad was being handpainted as we walked by. 

Magasin du Nord


He has along way to go!

We then wandered towards the Nyhavn (new Harbor).  H.C. Anderson lived in the area but after his death, it became more of the red light district--some of those shops still exist.  About 1980, the area started to change again: wine bars, fancy restuarants, etc.  The harbor was constructed in 1671-73 as a gate to the Kongens Nytorv and you can see all styles of boats docked here, including canal tour boats!

obligatory first self-protrait

The three of us then wandered down the streets collectively known as the Storget (again, an o with a slash-- I can't figure out to do the special characters on this computer).  Filled with souvenier shops, upmarket clothing shops, buskers, tourists, jewelers, etc.  There seems to be one of everything here, including the Guinness World of Records Museum, beckoning people in with a statue of the world's tallest man, from Denmark who was 8 ft 2 in when he died. 

We came to Hojbro Plads with the beautiful Stork Fountain and ran into Bishop Absalon, who founded the city in the 12th century.  He built his castle in 1167 and you can see the ruins of it today--underneath Christianborgslot.

We continued wandering down until we came to the Radhuspladsen: city hall square.  The Radhuset (city hall) has the World Clock that is apparently so accurate it is only off a 0.5 second every 300 years.  The building was built in 1905 and is quite pretty inside.  We weren't able to go through it as they were setting up for some show, but we plan on going back to climb up the clock tower.

Radhuset

stained glass in the entrance hall with Danish coat of arms

Upon our exit, we met up with Hans again.  His image is everywhere, including on the manhole covers.

We then decided to walk up (north? west?) to see the Little Mermaid, taking a different route. (another entry...) but I had to share this final photo.  A Dane with a Great Dane.  Seriously, how awesome is that? 

ironic?