Arts and Culture in Copenhagen
The city of Copenhagen was founded in 1167 by Bishop Absalon, the counselor for Denmark’s king, Valdemar the Great. The biggest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. Its rich medieval history and culture is almost a study in European history, with its roots in royalty, the Reformation, and other significant European events.
DR Koncerthuset (Photo by Jan Lyyke)
Historical museums
Much of Danish history can be found in Copenhagen’s museums. There are more than 50 museums in the city, and they are as excellent as any great museum in the world. The National Museum (Fredriksholms Kanal 12, 1220 Copenhagen K, +45 33 13 44 11, website) includes some of the biggest national historical icons in the country. The fact that the museum building is a mansion built in 1746 adds to its historical significance. Collections in the museum include permanent historical compilations from Danish history, as well as temporary collections from Greenland and Latin America.
The National Museum (Photo by Henry Hagnäs)
The history of Copenhagen is also well documented in the Museum of Copenhagen (Vesterbrogade 59, DK-1620 Copenhagen V, +45 33 21 07 72, website). The museum contains a picture archive, which contains images and maps of the country’s history from the 17th century onwards. It is also in charge of The Wall, a roving historical communication project centering around four multi-touch plasma screens, which are displayed in different parts of the city.
The Open Air Museum (Kongevejen 100, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, +45 33 13 44 11, website) demonstrates the average daily life of the Danish people in medieval times. It features a mansion built in the 18th century. Ducks and sheep are part of the landscape, and actors create pantomimes of life in the Danish fields.
The Open Air Museum (Photo by tailssux)
Those who prefer a more contemporary approach to history can check out The Museum of Danish Resistance (Churchillparken 1, 1263 Copenhagen, (+45) 33 47 39 21, website) to see the array of Danish history from 1940-1945, the time when Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany invaded Denmark. The museum features an air raid shelter and thousands of pictures from World War II in the country.
Art museums
Art enthusiasts will enjoy Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen, +45 33 41 81 41, website). Its vast collection includes more than 10,000 assorted artworks, from modernist paintings to ancient sculptures. You will also find works from the Danish Golden Age represented, as well as art from Rome, Greece, and Egypt.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Photo by wjries)
Another great art museum is the National Gallery of Denmark (Sølvgade 48-50 DK-1307 Copenhagen K, +45 33 74 84 94, website) where ancient and contemporary art collide. The collections here represent the best from such respected artists as Bjørn Nørgaard, Man Ray, Elke Krystufek, and many others.
Performances and entertainment
The surest way to get a feel for Danish culture, aside from its fantastic museums, is to attend a performance of classical music or theater. DR Koncerthuset, the Concert Hall, (Emil Holms Kanal 20, 0999 Copenhagen C, +45 3520 3040, website), is the home of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Danish National Choir. This is a beautifully built concert hall that takes advantage of modern acoustics, giving classical music performances enhanced sound.
Tivoli Concert Hall (Photo by Jens Hoffmann Olsen)
The Tivoli Concert Hall (Vesterbrogade 3, 1620 Copenhagen V, +45 3315 1012, website) is the biggest concert venue for classical music. It boasts of a seating capacity for almost 2,000 people. Those who visit it can be prepared to be enthralled by the best classical music performances in the world.
Theater enthusiasts and professional thespians will find their cup of tea in The Royal Danish Theatre (Kongens Nytorv, 1017 Copenhagen K, +45 33 69 69 33, website). Performances in drama, ballet, and opera are a main attraction in this venue. Since this venue was built the 18th century, it has remained a major factor in Copenhagen’s culture.
Tourist helps
The Copenhagen Visitor Center (Vesterbrogade 4A – 1577 Copenhagen V, +45 70 22 24 42, website) is the most important partner when traveling in the city. Valuable information on hotels, activities, and venues are available from the Center.
The many sights and sounds of Copenhagen will be easier to visit with a cOPENhagen Card (website), which gives any visitor free entry to 60 museums and attractions, as well as free transportation. It also offers discounts when you visit restaurants and shops around the city.
Copenhagen offers history and culture, and visiting the city is celebrating that culture. When you visit Copenhagen, you get the best of medieval history and classical music. You get a taste of the people and the culture. Your stay in the city is sure to be marked by memories that you can share for generations to come.
Tourist information
The Copenhagen Visitor Center
- Vesterbrogade 4A – 1577 Copenhagen V
- +45 70 22 24 42
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