"Københavns" Copenhagen by seagoingJLW

K?benhavns is an interesting city and a great one to walk around in.

You can see the Little Mermaid, her creator, Hans Christian Anderson, and lots, lots more. The harbor area is lovely to walk around.

Tivolit Gardens is an exceptional site for entertainment.

History

In the 1100s Havn (Harbor), as the town was called, assumed increasing importance and was reinforced with earthworks.

Around 1160, King Waldemar the Great gave Copenhagen to Absalon, Bishop of Roskilde, to serve as its lord and master.

The town, while it grew to ten times its size, was repeatedly raided by the Hanseatic League (the North German traders.) At the same time the Danish king attempted to take the town.

In 1416 King Erik of Pomerania took over the town successfully. It now belonged to the Danish crown.

By the time of Christian IV's coronation in 1596, Copenhagen had become rich and powerful. The new king made it the economic, military, religious, and cultural center for the whole of the Nordic region. Christian IV also expanded Copenhagen, adding two new districts. By the time of Christian IV's death in 1648, Copenhagen had become Denmark's principal fortification and naval port.

In 1657, Frederik III declared war on Sweden, and by 1659 the Swedes were just outside Copenhagen. The citizens stoutly defended the city. King Frederik III consolidated his power at the expense of the nobility, and in 1600 he was proclaimed the first absolute monarch.

In 1728, large parts of the old medieval town burned down. The new castle, Christiansborg, was a magnificent ediface. In 1749 a new palace was built, the Amalienborg Palace, which became the king's permanent residence in 1794 after a fire at Christiansborg.

During the Napoleonic wars, the English launched attacks on Copenhagen, the first time in 1801 (the Battle of Copenhagen) and the next time in 1807 when Copenhagen was subjected to the first terrorist bombing in history against a civilian population.

During the early 19th century, art and culture enjoyed a heydat in Copenhagen. Among those who flourished were: fairy tale writer Hans Christian Anderson, philosopher S?ren Kierkegaard, ballet master August Bournonville, painter C. W. Eckersberg, natural scientist H. C. ?rsted, and sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

With the Local Autorities Act of 1840, a City Council was set up. In 1848 a free constitution was introduced.

Song Lyrics

Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen,
Friendly old girl of a town
'Neath her tavern light, on this merry night
Let us clink and drink one down.
To wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen,
Salty old queen of the sea.
Once I sailed away, but I'm home today
Singing Copenhagen, wonderful, wonderful
Copenhagen for me.

• Pros:Everyone speaks english
• Cons:Lots of construction going on.
• In a nutshell:Go and have a great time.