This tour starts at the Tourist Information Office and passes the main entrance
to The Tivoli Gardens on the way to the Town Hall Square where the Old City begins.
The symbolism on the Town Hall facade tells us something about the history of
Copenhagen and its development from a fishing village into a European commercial
capital. This will include a brief introduction into the history of Denmark from
its earliest days until today, along with an overview of the Danish economy and
the products the Danes produce. The Town Hall Square abounds with interesting
landmarks such as The Dragon Fountain and The Lur-Blasers column, whose musical
warriors remind us of Scandinavia's colorful Viking past. Crossing over the areas
where the old moat and city rampart once stood, we pass though what would have
been the Western Gate into the city that welcomed the 14-year-old aspiring actor,
Hans Christian Andersen back in 1819. Today this spot marks the beginning of the
Walking Street (called 'Stroget'), Copenhagen's fashion and design center, where
we turn left on our way to the Latin Quarter with well-preserved examples of 19th-century
residential architecture.
After admiring the neo-classic facade of the Church of Our Lady (The Cathedral
of Copenhagen) and the Reformation Monument just opposite it, we will enter the
church to see the impressive marble sculptures of Christ and the Apostles by the
greatest sculptor of the 19th-century, Bertel Thorvaldsen. After hearing about
Thorvaldsen, the Golden Age of Danish Culture, religion in Denmark and an introduction
to the Royal Family, we will walk across Our Lady's Square to see the oldest buildings
in Copenhagen University and to learn about education, the social system in Denmark
and the tax system which funds it. With a short break for restrooms we continue
past the majestic University Library building along a street with antique bookshops
where we will hear about some of Denmark's famous literary figures such as Ludwig
Holberg, Soren Kierkegaard, Karen Blixen and Peter Hoeg. Our next stop is in front
of the Great Synagogue of Copenhagen where we will learn about Denmark 's Jewish
community and their heroic rescue from the Gestapo during the Nazi occupation
of The Second World War. Opposite the synagogue is the Main Library of Copenhagen
where free internet service is available.
Continuing down the street we arrive at Kobmagergade, another important shopping
street, where we find the Round Tower Observatory and the Trinity Church which
adjoins it. Here we will meet King Christian IV, Denmark's Renaissance monarch,
at whose request the buildings were built, and hear about his many accomplishments
before proceeding on to the Rosenborg Garden, (also known as 'The King's Garden'
in his honor), to admire the Rosenborg Castle which once served as a royal summer
residence. The tour concludes at a statue to the poet and fairytale-writer, Hans
Christian Andersen, where we will learn something more about his life and relationship
to Copenhagen. From where this tour ends one can enjoy a relaxing Danish smorrebrod
lunch in a nearby cafe before joining the Rosenborg Castle Tour at 12 noon.