Danish Belles. March 2018.

So happy to have my best friend from Atlanta, Carey, come to visit. College roommates reunited once again. With Carey here, we got to do some more urban exploring. And yes, it was cold. She was prepped, before hand, with the essentials needed for survival in Denmark. Examples being- hat, scarf, gloves, winter boots, long coat, crossbody bag.

The changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, where the Royal family lives. It happens daily at noon.

The Marble Church across the street from the Palace.

Chilly picturesque Nyhavn.

KRK at The Church of Our Saviour. (Yes, that’s how they spell it.)

Warm drinks were needed to sustain ourselves.

We visited the Round Tower which was built in the 17th century. It is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. To get to the top (36m), you have to walk 209 meters up a spiral ramp. The ramp twists 7 1/2 times around the tower’s hollow core. It once housed the Danish University Library.

The Privy halfway up.

The platform at the top. Hello Copenhagen.

Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court. It also houses the Royal Reception Rooms used for state visits, audiences, and banquets. It was previously the primary residence of the Royals, before they moved to Amalienborg in 1794.

Underneath are the Palace’s Ruins. It shows the evolution of the building over 800+ years. It was a fortress originally built in 1167 by Bishop Absalon of Roskilde for defense against pirates. It was destroyed in 1369, and Copenhagen Castle was built. This was then demolished in 1733 for the first Christiansborg Palace, which was completed in 1745. A few fires and rebuilds later, we arrive at the currant Palace.

Fun Fact- A Palace generally refers to a beautifully appointed residence for royalty or heads of state. It is built for comfort, leisure, and ceremony. Castles are typically fortified buildings, built for war, with safety and protection in mind. Hence, Castles have moats, drawbridges, towers, and battlements.

The Royal Reception Rooms are beautifully decorated. They include the Throne Room, the Great Hall, the Dining Hall, and multiple other ceremonial rooms. (For more pictures of the rooms see Kulturnat/October 2017 post.)

My favorite room is the Queen’s Library. Obviously.

We also visited the Palace’s Kitchen’s where the food used to be prepared. Presently, food is cooked at Amalienborg and transported here for special events.

We went up the Palace’s 106m tall Tower via elevator (yay.) It’s the highest tower in Copenhagen and has a beautiful (cloudy on that day) panoramic view of the City. It also houses the Lumbar Room, with old relics and models of Christiansborg.