DENMARK
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, was first mentioned in written records
in 1043
but it has traces of habitation that go back many thousands of years
before
that. The remains of that first fortress, built to protect the small
town in
1167, may be seen today in the cellars of Christiansborg Palace. The
palace
was unfortunately destroyed by fire and the royal residence was transferred
to
the Amalienborg Palace. Christiansborg was subsequently rebuilt on the
original site and the present palace was erected between 1907 and 1928.
Every day at noon, the Changing of the Guard takes place at Amalienborg
Palace and when Queen Margarethe is in residence the guards march through
the
city
behind their band.
In addition to being used commercially, Christianshaven Canal, in the
middle
of town, is popular with visitors who can enjoy frequent and extensive
trips
along the city's waterways.
Copenhagen has a wealth of museums. The open-air Museum is part of
the
National Museum and consists of old farm buildings and houses reconstructed
and
furnished as in former days. Just 22 miles north of Copenhagen at Hillerød,
stands Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark's Museum of National History, with
thePalace
Chapel which contains an organ dating from 1612. In Jutland there is
the
Udergaard Castle and at Funen there is The Gatehouse of Valdemarslot
Castle of
Taasinge. Other places of interest include Gavnø Manor House
which was
originally a convent and was founded in 1400 by Queen Margarethe I.
It is
situated in
south Zealand, about 85 km from Copenhagen. Engelsholm Castle is on
the east
coast of Jutland, near the old town of Vejle.
The world recognized Tivoli Gardens are undoubtedly one of Copenhagen's
great
attractions, certainly to the many thousands of visitors who visit the
city
each year. This world famous amusement park was laid out on the site
of the
city walls in 1843. Flowers and fountains, open-air performances of
plays and
ballet, amusements and restaurants, there is something for everyone
in Tivoli.
Although the gardens are fresh, green and attractive by day, it is at
night
that 100,000 lights turn the place into a fairyland.
A symbol of Copenhagen instantly recognized throughout the world is
the
statue of the "Little Mermaid". S." is the symbol of
the city but originated in
the story by Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark's most famous writer of
children's
stories. He is known for writing a story about himself in the words
of "The
Ugly Duckling". Also written by him are "The Matchbox Girl"
and more . . .
Denmark is fortunate in having not only fine agriculture and grazing
land
which is instrumental in making her world famous for her dairy produce,
but also
in possessing a very extensive coastline and many natural harbors, both
essential to her fishing industry.
The Faero Islands, part of Denmark, are in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The
group comprises eighteen islands, seventeen of which are inhabited.
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