Slotsholmen Walking Tour - PDF Free Download

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - Slotsholmen Walking Tour Slotsholmen, translated as The Castle Islet, is an island in the harbour of Copenhagen. Recognized as the center of the Government of Denmark since the Middle Ages, the island is sometimes referred to as "the Island of Power". Take this tour to explore the Castle Islet with us. Guide Location: Denmark» Copenhagen # of Attractions: 6 Tour Duration: 1 hour(s) Travel Distance: 1.3 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "Copenhagen Map and Walks" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Copenhagen Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Copenhagen. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Thorvaldsens Plads Antique Market B) Thorvaldsens Museum C) Christiansborg Palace D) The Old Stock Exchange E) Royal Library F) Danish Royal Arsenal Museum Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Thorvaldsens Plads Antique Market Thorvaldsens Plads Antique Market gathers antique lovers and collectors from all over the country. The flea market is organized every Friday and Saturday, from April to October, at Thorvaldsens Plads. Its stalls offer a wide array of goods among which you can find some exceptional pieces such as Royal Danish blue porcelain, a crystal vase or a genuine item of Georg Jensen silver. The market, which specializes in contemporary art, also has a large selection of paintings and sculptures. Operation Hours: May 16 - October 11: Friday: 8 am 5 pm; Saturday: 9 am 5 pm Address: Bertel Thorvaldsen Plads 2, 1213 Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Flickr and Aslaug Jonsdottir B) Thorvaldsens Museum (must see) Bertel Thorvaldsen was a very popular Danish neoclassicistic sculptor who lived in Rome between 1796 and 1838. The Thorvaldsen Museum is dedicated to this famous artist. Located next to the Christiansborg Palace in central Copenhagen on the island of Slotsholmen, the museum was designed and constructed between 1838 1848 by Michael Gottlieb Bindesboll. One look at the building and you will be struck by its antique Greek architecture. There is an inner courtyard where Thorvaldsen is buried and the museum is built around this courtyard. Another impressive feature is the use of unique colors outside and inside the building. Do not miss out the unique decoration of the ceilings in each room. On the outside, you will find a frieze made by Jorgen Sonne depicting the homecoming of Thorvaldsen in 1838. A stunning collection of Thorvaldsen s work is on display at this museum that includes his artistic works in plaster and marble. You will also find models made of original plaster that were used to make cast marble and bronze reliefs and statues. Other popular collections here include Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiques, paintings, prints collected by the artist, drawings and a variety of different personal belongings he used during his lifetime. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - Operation hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am 5 pm Address: Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mahlum C) Christiansborg Palace (must see) Christiansborg Palace is located in central Copenhagen on the Slotsholmen islet. This palace serves as the Danish Supreme Court and the Danish Prime Minister s Office apart from being the functioning center of the Danish Parliament. Parts of the palace such as the palace chapel, Royal Reception Rooms and the royal stables are used by the royal family. Christiansborg Palace is thus home to Denmark s judicial power, legislative power and executive power. Currently this Danish State owned palace is run by Palaces and Properties Agency. Since the first castle was constructed on this site in 1167, it underwent many reconstructions and refurbishments. All buildings constructed here right from the early 15th century continued to serve as the home of central administration. Danish kings resided here till 1794 after which it functions as the seat of parliament since 1849. Two fires destroyed the palace during the course of time, one in 1794 and the other in 1884, as a result of which you can find three different Danish architectural influences in the building. You will find the palace s main portion constructed in the Neo-baroque style. The present version of the palace was completed in 1928. Today tourists from across the world come here to enjoy the unique ambience and atmosphere at this famous palace in Copenhagen. Address: Christiansborg Slotsplads, Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Flickr and Nigel's Europe Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - D) The Old Stock Exchange (must see) One of the greatest builders and architects of Copenhagen, King Christian IV constructed the Old Stock Exchange building. This is the oldest building in the city that served as a trade and financial center. The Danish stock market functioned in this building till 1974 after which it was relocated to modern facilities. King Christian IV constructed this impressive building right at the entrance of Copenhagen where it continues to serve as a prestigious landmark. The building stands as a testimony to the wealth and development of the city and was especially built to impress foreign as well as Danish merchants arriving from the sea. The building was mortgaged to Jacob Madsen, a Danish merchant by King Christian IV to pay off his debts. King Frederik III bought back the building which was again sold by King Frederik VII in 1857 to the Merchant s Guild. The Old Stock Exchange remained with the Merchant s Guild and gained in popularity as the oldest preserved building in the city. Since 1987, this building has been serving as the Danish Chamber of Commerce. You will find an amazing spire with four dragons in this building designed in Dutch Renaissance Style. The three crowned spear at the end of the twisting tails represents the friendship and cooperation between Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Old Stock Exchange building is 60 meter tall and is the only building that has survived all of Copenhagen s great fires. Address: Borsgade, Christianhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Flickr and Ewan-M E) Royal Library (must see) One of the most impressive libraries in the Nordic countries is the Royal Library in Copenhagen. This is Denmark s national library and is also used by the University of Copenhagen. At this library you will find a rich collection of historical treasures collected meticulously from the 17th Century. Generous donations through ages have helped sustain this library that has on display the first ever Danish book. This book was printed in 1482 and is a part of an extensive collection that includes almost all books printed in this language. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - King Frederik III founded the library in 1648 and stocked it with an extensive European work collection. After it was opened to public in 1793, this library became a part of the University Library following the merger in 1989. The Natural and Health Sciences Faculty Library joined the Royal Library through another merger in 2005. Today the library has an impressive collection that covers all subjects. It is spread over four sites each specializing in a subject. The main library is at Slotsholmen in Copenhagen harbor. Royal Library specializing in humanities is located at Amager, one that specializes in law and social sciences at Gothersgade, central Copenhagen and the one specializing in health and natural sciences is located at Norre Alle. Address: Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Arne List F) Danish Royal Arsenal Museum The old Arsenal was constructed by Christian IV and today houses the Danish Royal Arsenal Museum. The arsenal was a storehouse of hand weapons and canons. This is one of the very few buildings in Denmark used for the specific purpose it was originally built for. The way in which renaissance was centralized in Copenhagen and extended the Royal power is commemorated by this monumental building. The extent of influence held by the armed forces on the capital is evident with the models of the 18th century Citadel and of the Arsenal of King Christian IV. Arsenal Hall measures 156 meters and holds the distinction of being the biggest arched renaissance hall in Europe. Here you will find on exhibit oldest and the more recent Danish canons. You can go through the sequence of edged weapons and small arms development through the last 500 years. This museum is very popular and attracts tourists from across the world. An amazing selection of modern and antique weapons that include exquisite handguns, war trophy firearms and beautiful princely, ornamental weapons are on display in the Renaissance Hall. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - Here you will also find a fine collection of international firearms such as civilian and military guns, sports and hunting weaponry. The museum has on display an impressive 19th century collection of military accessories such as banners, uniforms, armor and saddler. Operation hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm Address: Tøjhusgade 3, Slotsholmen, Copenhagen, Denmark Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ib Rasmussen Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -