Ahh, Copenhagen. The Nordic metropolis of bicycles, palaces, and fairy tales. As somebody who likes to bask in literary vacationer journeys infrequently, I used to be excited to see what literary secrets and techniques Denmark’s capital holds for e-book lovers, and I used to be not disenchanted. Along with among the extra well-known locations to see just like the Glyptotek, Nyhavn (pronounced “new hound” with a muted D. You’re welcome.), or the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, there are some wondrous literary locations in Copenhagen and the encircling areas, significantly so when you have a deep love for fairy tales and Shakespeare.
Lad os gå!
Copenhagen Literary Spots
Church Of Our Savior
Picture Credit score: Melissa Baron
We’ll begin to the east of Copenhagen’s downtown areas. This hella cool Baroque church is situated within the Christianshavn neighborhood, simply accessible by bus from town’s central practice station. It was featured in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth: primary character Axel has to climb the corkscrew spire for 5 days straight to remedy him of his concern of heights earlier than going into the volcano (that may do it). Possibly solely climb this as soon as, as a result of it’s 400 steps, and sure, the final chunk of that journey is outdoors till you’re on the prime of the spire. The view? Unparalleled.
The Little Mermaid Statue
Head north of downtown to go to the world’s favourite mermaid. Hop on the practice and get off at Østerport, then both take a bus or stroll towards the Langelinie promenade. Though she is blink-and-you’ll-miss her small, she continues to be a beautiful, wistful little mermaid, and well worth the journey. After I took a canal boat tour, the information knowledgeable us that the Little Mermaid used to face out towards the ocean as a substitute of towards the promenade, and that fishermen and sailors would wave goodbye and whats up to her as they sailed previous, as if she was their good luck appeal that may shield them out at sea. She now faces the promenade so vacationers can see her higher.
Enjoyable reality: Edvard Eriksen sculpted her within the early 1910s, and he’s additionally accountable for a trio of unimaginable statues which can be housed within the Roskilde Cathedral he completed only a yr earlier than the fee to create the Little Mermaid. These statues encompass the sarcophagus of Christian IX and Queen Louise, and are allegorical for grief, reminiscence, and love. Eline Eriksen, his spouse, was the mannequin for all 4 statues.
Assistens Cemetery
West of downtown Copenhagen, accessible through bus, lies an enormous cemetery the place fairly just a few well-known Danes are buried. Søren Kierkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen are each buried right here.
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Story Home
Now we get to the guts of Copenhagen, the place museums and eating places and palaces are stepping on one another’s footwear for a way shut they’re to at least one one other. Not removed from Metropolis Corridor, you’ll discover a cute museum of types devoted to Denmark’s most well-known author, the 19th century father of fairy tales Hans Christian Andersen. The museum is accessible via a Ripley’s Imagine It Or Not; you’re given a gold coin to enter H.C. Andersen’s exhibit. Andersen’s wing walks you thru the story of his life, after which meanders throughout his most well-known fairy tales with recreations of scenes so that you can view, like strolling via a popup e-book with chapters on Thumbelina, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Emperor’s New Garments, and extra. It’s geared extra in the direction of youngsters, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a enjoyable and fascinating detour via Andersen’s life and work.
Hans Christian Andersen Monument
Picture Credit score: Melissa Baron
After you allow his museum, stroll throughout Metropolis Corridor to take a look at H.C. Andersen’s monument. He sits dealing with Tivoli, the world’s second oldest amusement park, nestled within the coronary heart of Copenhagen (additionally price a go to). It’s a candy tribute to the author of fairy tales, and an applicable placement.
Søren Kierkegaard Monument
The well-known Danish thinker’s monument is hidden in a serene park behind the Danish Jewish Museum and the Royal Danish library. He faces a small pond and stares out on the water, e-book in hand. Take a web page out of his e-book and benefit from the serenity of this secluded park earlier than strolling throughout the road to take a look at Copenhagen’s coolest library.
Copenhagen Bookish Hangouts
Royal Danish Library
Picture Credit score: Melissa Baron
In any other case often called “The Black Diamond,” this beautiful fashionable library actually seems like an enormous black diamond on the skin, and defies your expectations as quickly you stroll in. The brand new constructing is connected to the a lot older a part of the library, so you possibly can have the very best of each worlds as you’re wandering this huge murals, from the extremely fashionable to the antiquated. Do go to the little reward store on the primary flooring for some beautiful postcards, particular e-book editions, and scrumptious fairy tale-themed candy treats.
Politikens Boghal
This bookstore has been open since 1915, and is related to the Danish newspaper Politiken. You’ll discover each Danish and English editions of books right here.
Vangsgaards Antikvariat
On the lookout for uncommon and secondhand books? Head to Vangsgaards Antikvariat, the biggest vintage bookstore in Denmark. This gem is shut by Strøget, an extended, winding pedestrian road stuffed with purchasing and engaging meals.
Paludan’s Bathroom & Café
Picture Credit score: Melissa Baron
This bookstore restaurant is correct in the midst of every little thing, and as soon as inside, you’re surrounded by floor-t0-ceiling bookshelves jammed stuffed with books, charming tables nestled in each nook, and a patchwork of slim rooms bustling with folks and extra books. Seize any out there desk you possibly can first, then go order one thing scrumptious on the counter to have it introduced again to you. It’s a comfy library-esque respite for while you need to relaxation your toes and tuck right into a meal.
Literary Locations past Copenhagen
Hamlet’s Citadel
Picture Credit score: Melissa Baron
In the event you hop on a regional practice heading north, you’ll end up within the seaside city of Helsingør in lower than 45 minutes. A nice stroll via city will take you as much as Hamlet’s fortress.
For actual, although. That fortress proper up there? That was Shakespeare’s inspiration for Elsinore in Hamlet. The actual factor known as Kronborg Citadel (“Crown Citadel”). It was constructed within the 1420s as a fortress and renovated throughout Shakespeare’s lifetime by Danish King Frederick II to improve its navy prowess and befit it with chambers match for a king and a queen to reside there.
Shakespeare by no means noticed Kronborg in individual, however he little question heard concerning the well-known fortress, since performs have been routinely carried out there. Possibly even from the actual Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Frederik Rosenkrantz and Knud Gyldenstierne; two Danish noblemen who visited the English court docket within the 1590s. Kronborg is a UNESCO World Heritage website, and if you happen to go to through the summer season, you possibly can work together with the solid of Hamlet as they transfer via the fortress grounds.
Bonus: Go to Ogier the Dane when you’re there, who sleeps within the casements beneath the fortress. Ogier made appearances in outdated epic poems and Danish folklore, and it’s stated that he’ll awaken if Denmark is ever in peril to be able to defend her.
H.C. Andersen’s Birthplace
In the event you really feel like venturing out of the Copenhagen metropolitan space, a practice can take you to the little city of Odense, Denmark, in just below two hours. Odense was the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Along with visiting the Hans Christian Andersen museum, which focuses on his work and his paper artwork, you possibly can go to his precise childhood dwelling.
Received time to spare? Drive or take a bus right down to Egeskov Citadel, a 16th century Renaissance fortress surrounded by a moat that can make you are feeling such as you’ve walked proper right into a Disney film.
