COPENAGHEN

During the Christmas season, the cold Scandinavian town comes alive, as if to invoke the fairy-tale atmosphere, lights of thousands of colored lights and offers a fantastic Christmas atmosphere.

From 10 November to 30 December, the streets decorated and illuminated, you can meet symbolic elves, goblins or nice Santa Claus on his sleigh that accommodated welcome you to the fabulous Christmas in Copenhagen.

In Copenhagen take place several Christmas markets.

The city’s most important is certainly the Tivoli Christmas Market (Jul i Tivoli), which takes place in 1994 in the Tivoli Gardens, the largest amusement park of the city. Every year, millions of visitors are attracted to the 85 chalets, arranged in a mo ‘model villages, which house shops full of gifts and Christmas: knitwear and winter clothing, typical blue and white porcelain, toys, Christmas ornaments from Royal Copenhagen, plates decorated with wonderful stories and legends of the Nordic tradition. Neli food stalls are selling spices, jams and jellies of various kinds, Christmas cookies, caramel apples and the ubiquitous Glogg (hot spiced wine), served with Aebleskiver ‘(pancakes with sugar and jam). To complete enchanting atmosphere, the scenery of the park is beautiful, enriched by the Christmas lights and the lake turned into an ice skating rink. Among other attractions, there are fireworks and a cabaret, the Crazy Christmas Cabaret, in which a group of crazy English professional actors compete in jokes, puns and songs, all with the participation of the public. The show runs at Glassalen, theater Tivoli Gardens.

The Christmas Market Nyhavn (Nyhavns Julemarked) is set in the picturesque old port of Copenhagen. It is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in all of Denmark, with its stalls lined up along the pier, where some of the oldest town houses, tastefully decorated with garlands and Christmas lights. The stalls offer handicrafts and local food and are surrounded by the melodies of traditional Danish Christmas music.

In the district of Lyngby takes place instead of the Christmas Market Frilandsmuseet, an original open-air museum, consisting of 50 short films, houses, gardens and mills, some of which date back to 200 years ago. In the days of the market, the museum as a theme, reviving Christmas traditions of centuries past. Inside, they sell among other dishes prepared according to old recipes under the expert hands of women dressed in clothes of the local tradition.

Copenhagen or Copenhagen?

In Copenhagen, curiously, is a municipality located independent called Frederiksberg, where there is another Christmas Market (Frederiksberg Julemarked). The stalls are arranged in the main square of the town, RÃ¥dhusplads, inside a large tent useful shelter from the bitter cold.

Another area of Copenhagen is itself the Free City of Christiania, a community founded by hippies in the 70s, also host of a Christmas market of its own, the exotic Christmas market in Christiania.

Near Copenhagen

In the nature reserve of Deer Park, 10 km north of the city, at the Hippodrome Klampernborg held a Christmas Market a little bit special, slightly snobbish, because dedicated to the public of racing.

DATES AND HOURS OF MARKETS COPENHAGEN

10.11.2013 – 30.12.2013
Christmas market in Tivoli
Tivoli Gardens

Monday – Thursday & Sunday from 11.00 to 22.00

Friday & Saturday from 11.00 to 23.00

24.12. & 25.12. closed

10.11.2013 – 22.12.2013
Nyhavn Christmas Market
Old Port of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, the capital and largest city of Denmark, is also the main hub of tourist attraction in the country. In history there has always stood for a high artistic and cultural patronage, whose legacies still remain as valuable jewels of art and architecture. In addition, the city shines in the sciences, which holds the record for Nobel prizes. But Copenhagen is also known as “the city of fairy tales”, home of the famous writer of fairy tales Andersen. He probably inspired by his city, he wrote “The Little Mermaid”, the sculptor Eriksen did later become the city’s symbol.

Giving a first look at Copenhagen can be seen that the most interesting historical and cultural monuments are all located in the medieval old town (the Middelalderbyen), while parks and gardens are located a little ‘everywhere, in some cases, even out of town.

Because of its centrality, an ideal starting point to visit the Danish capital could be Nihavn, the ancient port city characterized by a channel dug in 1671 in Copenhagen to provide a connection to the sea and, therefore, a commercial port. Having ceased its activities in 1950, it is today the historic port, despite the name means “new port”. With its countless cafés, restaurants and clubs, the district of the ancient port is the area with the highest tourist attraction in all of Copenhagen, an area that continues to arouse a certain charm “bohemian”, especially for hosting artists and intellectuals, including the well-known writer H. C. Andresen, and to be still frequented by sailors and writers. The charm of Nihavn also depends greatly on the beautiful houses that characterize it, overlooking the harbor channel and perfectly restored to their original bright colors. The atmosphere that you live in this ancient port is really out of time because, although it is inactive, you still moored wooden ships and sailboats of ancient workmanship and will leave the tourist boats to visit the city through the channels .

One of the most beautiful attractions in Copenhagen, located right in the heart of the city, is a famous amusement park Tivoli Gardens, one of the most famous game parks and also the oldest in Europe. By Emperor Christian VIII, was released in 1843 by Georg Cartensen, with the idea of offering citizens a space for recreation and leisure, and was first called “Tivoli & Vauxhall”, in honor of the Parisian gardens and of Vauxhall in London. Inside, it offers a diverse range of rides, games suitable for all ages, space for shows and concerts, as well as numerous outdoor cafes, daily destination for thousands of visitors. Among his best attractions remember the Pantomime Theatre, located at the main entrance and built in the original Chinese style, with a very special curtain in peacock’s tail. In addition, do not miss the Tivoli Aquarium, the Glass Hall and numerous performances of the Tivoli Boys Guard. But the park is also a place for those who want to relax and get in touch with nature. In this regard, it is also home to a little lake and some small wild animals, including the very nice squirrels.

Right across from the amusement park is another focal point of Copenhagen, the central Radhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), node of the main artery of the city. Inside the towering Town Hall, visited in some rooms, and its imposing tower, from the top on a clear day you can enjoy a wonderful view over the city.

In the historic center there is also the small island of Slotsholmen with Christiansborg Castle. The latter, the seat of the Danish Parliament, was built in the mid-eighteenth century according to the plans of Nicolai Eigtved, only to be completely destroyed by the great fire of 1794. As a result, a new palace was built in the early nineteenth century, according to the plans of CF Hansen, but also was destroyed by fire in 1884. The current building was built in Rococo style granite Thorvald Jørgensen and completed in 1928. Near the castle you can see an interesting building from the beginning of the seventeenth century, the seat of the Danish Stock Exchange since 1857.

Rosenborg Castle, with its famous Kongens Have Gardens, is one of the most beautiful historic buildings throughout Copenhagen. Built in traditional Dutch late-Renaissance style, was built by Christian IV, who entrusted the construction to two famous architects of the time, Hans van Steenwinckel and Bertel Lange. The castle was completed in 1606, but in later centuries was constantly expanded, giving space to the gardens of the King, which were extended around the building. Despite its magnificence, however, the castle was used as a royal residence only from 1640 to 1720, and then be open to the public along with the gardens in 1833. Since then, this green is a favorite with locals for walks and picnics. The castle houses a collection instead of the crown jewels, which cover a period of about 400 years, from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century.

Not far away is another prestigious building, the Royal Castle Amalienborg (Amalienborg Palace). The palace was the residence of the royal family until 1794, and even today, in the days when the resident queen, to h. 12:00 on time you run the Changing of the Guard. The castle complex consists of four buildings in the Rococo style: Levetzaus the north-west, north-east Brockdorffs, Schacks the south-east and south-west Moltkes. It is in the palace of the queen today Schacks his residence. The four buildings overlooking a square octagonal, paved with pebbles and occupied the center of the imposing equestrian statue of King Frederick V. One wing of the palace now houses the Museum Amnalienborg, a true continuation of the royal collection of Rosenborg Castle, where you can visit those who were the royal apartments from 1863 to 1947.

But the center of Copenhagen is home to not only castles, but also more recent buildings. Among them is Opera Haus, the modern opera house donated by the Danish State Moller family and opened in 2005. The project architect Henning Larsen states that the structure can hold up to 1700 people in the main room, plus another 200 in Takkeloftet, the secondary hall.

As far as religious buildings, visiting the old town you can not miss the Vor Frue Kirke, which is the city’s cathedral, with its famous statues of Christ and the disciples, and the Vor Fresler Kirke, where you can admire a splendid altar and a beautiful baroque pipe organ carved.

Finally, “last but not least,” we can and must complete the visit to Copenhagen with a walk, on foot or by boat, leading to the statue of the Little Mermaid, the most famous symbol of the city. The work is located by the sea, about ten minutes from downtown, and was created by the artist Edward Eriksen in 1913, commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, who wanted so beautify the port of Copenhagen. According to some sources, his work for the sculptor would be inspired by the eponymous short story writer H. C. Anderson, whose protagonist is this legendary and lovely sea creature.

Leaving the historic center, and sometimes very allontanandosene, you can discover other sights of Copenhagen worth a visit.

For example, do not miss the Fair. The Bella Center, as it is called, is a large exhibition area which covers an area of over 121,000 square meters, divided between auditoriums, exhibition halls and conference rooms. Among the manifestations of the tip of the Danish trade fair stand those dedicated to fashion and interior design.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Aasebakken is located about 25 km from Copenhagen, on a hill called “Poggio di Maria”, and is guarded by the Benedictine nuns of the cloister half. Here the Virgin is venerated by Catholics as the patron saint of Denmark and is depicted in detail in a beautiful statue of the thirteenth century, black wood, with the infant Jesus resting on the right arm and a globe in his left hand.

The Oresund Bridge is one of the largest architectural connection in recent years. With almost 16 km, it connects the city of Copenhagen to the Swedish Malmö. It was made for commercial reasons and is officially open from June 1, 2000. The connection is very complex work that uses structures raised above sea level, an artificial island and a number of galleries. Replacing the old system of loading of rail cars on ships, it is now possible to cross the Oresund strait with any train that falls from Sweden to Denmark and vice versa.

As in all major European cities, including Copenhagen hectic life often leads to replace lunch with snacks, sometimes high in calories. Apparently, then, we would be led to believe that the most important meal is dinner. But this should not be misleading, because Denmark retains ancient gastronomic traditions, dating back to the Vikings and the Normans, who loved to dine with beautiful tablecloths and drink in silver goblets. Thus, one of the most deeply rooted traditions still in Denmark is precisely to imbandire tables for lavish family meals.

But of course, those approaching the good Danish food can not expect to enjoy a plate of spaghetti! The gastronomic characteristics of the country in fact offer other delights.
Even if the fish is very popular (they cook good lobster, smoked salmon, eel and trout), the meat is definitely the dish par excellence. The national dish is the duck, served especially at Christmas, but they are also delicious roast pork served with red cabbage, roe garnished with blueberries and, for the most delicate palates, reindeer stew. Other meat dishes are the “frikadeller” (pork dumplings and onions) and “hakkebof” (made with beef). The Danish chicken is instead a triumph of calories, since the recipe calls for it to be cooked with a lot of cream and butter.
One of the first most famous dishes is actually the Ollebrød, excellent soup made with rye bread cooked in beer.
The custom of coffee, certainly “less strong” than the Italian one, it goes strangely tasting savory snacks. These are the “smørrebrød” sandwiches of rye bread with butter and topped with various ingredients, including fish (seafood, salmon, kippers), foie gras, cheese or eggs. The smørrebrød often intended to substitute for lunch.
As for the desserts, they often look nothing short of monumental! Some cakes can be as high as one meter, as Krasenkage, made of puff pastry and candied fruit.
Denmark, like Belgium, is one of the leading breweries in Europe. The manufacturers are the most important Carlsberg and Ceres. Typical products are lagers read and clear though, especially on the occasion of Easter, are also produced stouts, wheat beers and flavored with herbs.