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Christianshavn Tour of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
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Christianshavn Tour of Copenhagen
Guide Location: Denmark » Copenhagen
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 1.6 km
Image Courtesy of Flickr and jeroenpulles
Author: EmmaS
Christianshavn is one of the most picturesque areas of Copenhagen. Here you will find smiling faces, brightly colored houses, enticing bars and cafes. Be sure to visit freetown Christiania, an area that will add a non-conformist, creative flavor to your trip. Discover this fun, captivating district of Copenhagen on this walking tour.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Christians Kirke
1) Christians Kirke
Christian's Church is a magnificent Rococo church in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen. It was built from 1754–59 and was originally called Frederik's German Church (Danish: Frederiks Tyske Kirke), as for many years it served as the German community's church in Copenhagen. Christian's Church was designed by Nicolai Eigtved, the leading Danish architect during the first half of the 17th century, shortly before his death. The church has a rectangular layout, with the nave occupying the space between the shorter rather than the longer sides of the rectangle, giving it exceptional width. The tower is positioned at the center of the main side of the building. Standing on a granite plinth, the church is a yellow brick (Flensborg sten) building with sandstone finishing for the portal and tower. Ionic pilasters decorate the portal and the round-arched windows are tall and slender. The tower stands 70 meters high.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ib Rasmussen
Sight description based on wikipedia
Gammeldok
2) Gammeldok
On your trip to Copenhagen, be sure to include a visit to Gammeldok in your itinerary. Most tourists to this city do not leave without paying a visit to this unique warehouse. This warehouse is named after the first ever dry dock in Denmark built in 1739 between the Old Dock Warehouse and Eigtved’s Warehouse.
Gammel Dok Warehouse itself was built in 1882 and is one of the most prominent and popular buildings in Christianshavn. At this warehouse, you will find the Danish Architecture Center. This center is dedicated to urban culture and architecture and fosters communication and development in this field.
Many famous exhibitions and open events are held here, against the backdrop of a great historic setting. National Workshops for Arts and Crafts is also located nearby.
You will find an impressive, modern square in front of the warehouse. The square is an apt reminder of those bygone days when the navy ships during Christian V’s period lay dock. The square was opened in 1998. Remains of the old dock were found during excavation of the ground where today's square stands. Gammeldok used to be and still is an intrinsic part of Copenhagen.
Danish Navy Museum
3) Danish Navy Museum
At the Royal Danish Navy Museum, you will find the finest and largest collection of naval models. Dating back to the seventeenth century, this collection gives visitors a comprehensive overview of the technological developments in ship building. Here you will find on display a variety of different boats and ships crafted over the last few centuries including the dredgers, torpedo boats and support ships. These are displayed in small scale models.
At this museum, you will find an interesting collection of works of art, too. The museum has on display a variety of paintings of the Danish Fleet by famous painters such as Soren Brunoe and C. W. Eckersberg.
You will also find exhibits from the more recent times. The second floor has exhibits and displays from the Cold War period. There are ships and weapons here that could have been used if the Cold War had turned hot.
Influence of the Naval Fleet on Copenhagen throughout centuries is shown in a number of dioramas. Displays at the museum give you a deep insight into the naval history of the city. Do not miss out the children’s museum where there is an exquisite display of canons and small sailing ships. A visit to the Danish Navy Museum is a must on your trip to Copenhagen.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ib Rasmussen
Christiania
4) Christiania
Christiania is one of the most popular autonomous neighborhoods in Copenhagen. This self proclaimed neighborhood is spread over 34 hectares and houses 850 residents. Also known as the Freetown Christiania, it is situated in Christianshavn borough in Copenhagen.
Christiania stands over a squatted military area. This commune was created in 1971 and most of its residents refer to it as Staden, the town or fristaden, the Freetown.
The unique feature of this neighborhood is that it is regulated by the special Christian Law of 1989. According to this law, parts of the area are supervised by the State and the rest by the municipality.
Protection status for some of the old military buildings in the area was proposed by the National Heritage Agency in 2007. Ancient buildings still preserved in this community include Den Gronne Hal or ‘The Green Hall’ which was previously used as a riding house, Den Gra Hal or ‘The Grey Hall’ which was again formerly a Bohlendach roofed riding house, a half timbered building which was the commander’s house, powder magazines on the bastions from the 17th and 18th centuries and Maelkebotten or ‘The Dandelion’. After Christiania was taken over by the residents, some of these buildings have been altered.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Quistnix
Church of Our Savior
5) Church of Our Savior
One of the uniquely designed churches you must visit on your trip to Copenhagen is the Church of Our Savior. This church is constructed in baroque style and is well known for its unique cockscrew spire. On your visit to the church, you can enjoy amazing views of central Copenhagen from the top where you will reach by climbing the external winding staircase. The largest carillon in northern Europe can be found in this church. The carillon continues to play once every hour starting 8 am till midnight. The first version of this church was a temporary structure constructed by Christian IV in 1617 to serve Christianshavn on Amager Island. The present Church of Our Savior was constructed in Lambert Van Haven design over a period of 14 years and opened in 1695. It was only in 1732 that a permanent altar was built here. Spire was constructed by architect Lauritz de Thurah who abandoned the original Van Haven design. This spire approved by the king was completed in 1752. As you enter the church compound you will be impressed by the Greek cross layout and the Dutch baroque style construction. A granite foundation made of colourful yellow and red tiles support the walls. Tuscan order pilasters segment the facade. Capitals and bases of this facade is made of sandstone. Tile frieze on the sandstone cornice adds to the elegance and style. Do not miss out the tall, arched windows between pilasters made of iron and glass.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ib Rasmussen
Lille Mølle
6) Lille Mølle
Lille Molle was originally a windmill; in 1916 it was converted to a private home. Today it is a historic house museum located in Copenhagen’s Christianshavn neighbourhood. Every single detail is kept here intact exactly as it was when the house was inhabited.

Lille Molle or Little Mill, as it is called in English, was Christianshavn’s last windmill. A young engineer Ejnar Flach-Bundegaard acquired this property in 1916 and lived here with his wife. Their eclectic, five-storied home was built over the octagonal shaped mill base.

The couple also constructed a warehouse and factory on the other side of Christianshavn Voldgade which was later demolished. The house was converted to a museum after the death of Ejnar Flach-Bundegaard and his wife, in 1949 and 1974 respectively.

The widow donated the building to the Danish National Museum thus making it a popular tourist attraction frequented by thousands of visitors every year. Little Mill is certainly not a typical home.
Its eclectic style is unique and reflects the characteristics of its period. Interior is decorated in a uniquely personal and national romantic style. Walk into the home and you will be transported to a completely different atmosphere. Do not miss a visit to this interesting museum on your trip to Copenhagen.
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