Copenhagen is the capital and the largest city in Denmark with a population of about 1.4 million. Settlements dating back to the stone age have been found here. Originally a Viking fishing village, the city flourished over the years, despite fires, plaque and wars. From Stonehenge we went to Denmark.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Little Mermaid, a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 is a tragic story with a happy ending. The statue isn’t very big.
These small brass memorial plaques are imbedded in the cobblestone sidewalk and are referred to as “stumbling stones”. They exist in about 20 other countries. The plaques, which remember Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis, are installed outside the last residences of the victims.
CopenHill burns local waste and turns the exhaust into heat and electricity for the city. The sloped roof is an artificial ski and snowboard hill measuring 400 meters long. There is also a running track, a climbing wall and a cafe for everyone to enjoy.
The Gefion Fountain depicts the Norse goddess, Gefjon, who used oxen to plough the island of Zealand out of Sweden. The Swedish king offered the goddess as much land as she could plough in one day and one night.
The Marble Church.
Nynhavn is the colorful facade of Copenhagen.
Agnete and the Merman. As the legend goes, Agnete , a young village girl, was walking alongside the water when a merman emerged from the waves. She was instantly enamored with him. The feeling was mutual, and she immediately accepted his invitation and went into the water to live with the him. There they lived happily and gave birth to seven mer-sons. One day, swimming too near the surface, Agnete heard the ringing of the church. She was struck with homesickness and begged the merman to allow her to go to church. Reluctantly, he consented. At the church, Agnete saw her mother and learned that the church bells were for the funeral of her father, who had died from sorrow searching for her for so many years. Back on land, she forgot her love for the merman and her children and decided to stay and return to her land life.
Decorative large stone spheres to protect pedestrians from vehicles.
We spent a good part of the day walking around Copenhagen. There were so many beautiful buildings and flower gardens.
More from a long day of walking around the city. Copenhagen was one of our favorite cities.
Skagen, Denmark
Skagen, a charming fishing village nestled at the northernmost tip of Denmark, is a place where magic happens. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, captivating history and unique atmosphere. Unfortunately, it was raining the day we visited. Luckily we packed raingear.
One of Skagen’s most iconic attractions is Grenen, the northernmost point of Denmark, where the Baltic Sea and the North Sea collide. The ever-changing landscape, with its shifting sands and powerful waves, is a mesmerizing sight. While swimming is prohibited due to strong currents, walking along the beach and witnessing the raw power of nature is an unforgettable experience.
We visited an abandoned church. A bird nest had blown to the ground but it appeared that the babies had survived. At least it was out of the weather.
Råabjerg Mile is a migrating coastal sand dune. It is the largest moving dune in Northern Europe. Each year, this 1 km( 0.62 mile) long and 1 km wide dune travels 15 meters northeast.
We saw a number of oil drilling platforms from the ship.
Blue hour at sea. The Skagen Painters were Scandinavian artists who gathered in Skagen during the summers from about 1870 until the turn of the century. Their style was often impressionistic, using the miles of sandy beaches and “blue hour” for lighting. They often painted common interests such as scenes of their own social gatherings, playing cards, celebrating or simply eating together.
