Canals of Christianshavn - Copenhagen

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Canals of Christianshavn - Copenhagen
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Online & Onsite Sightseeing - Copenhagen
Christianshavn and The Canals
 
 
 
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Christianshavn and the Canals from 1617- on the Isle of Amager. © - tjow.dk.
 
Christianshavn’s Canals
It was once again King Christian IV (1577-1648 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1588-1648) - who was called the great builder of Copenhagen that took the initiative to found Christianshavn and its canals from 1617 to 1622. The two main reasons were partly to protect the fleet of the Royal Danish Navy - which was docked at the harbour entrance called “Holmen” and to increase trading with merchants from abroad to levy extra tolls from their ships passing through the narrow strait between Sealand and the Isle of Amager.

New Merchant Town
The new merchant town Christianshavn was named after the King and situated on the Isles of Amager about 110 metres from the cost of Sealand and divided by the waters of the inner harbour. Construction work to establish Christianshavn started around 1617 - where an artificial bank of soil and rubble from the city was erected across the inner harbour to the shores of Amager. When the embankment was built up - the land filling work began to develop the Christianshavn district with its new artificial waterways.
 
Idyllic painting of the Canals through the quarters of Christianshavn around 1880 - where heavy industry and merchant courtyards had occupied the areas alongside the canals to utilize the artificial waterways for transportation.
Up to the middle of the 20 century Christianshavn with its canal system developed into a quite charming and trendy residential area with plentiful of atmosphere and remarkable old buildings formed mainly by Dutch architects around 1618.
 
Bridges to Christianshavn
Even though the first bank with landfill over the harbour strait also was a useful connection for peasants transporting crops to the mainland from Amager - the embankment blocked for ships passage through the harbour and was removed in 1618 - in favor of the first wooden drawbridge to Amager - which was completed around 1620 - and operated by one man called Hans Knip. The present “Knippelsbro” is named after Hans Knip and is built exactly where the first bridge to Amager was located. Today four bridges connect Amager to Sealand – Knippelsbro from 1937 - Langebro from 1954 - Kalvebrobroerne from 1987 - and last but not least the great Øresundsbro from 2000.
 

The first bridge over the harbour strait seen from the Isle of Amager towards inner Copenhagen with the old Stock Exchange "Børsen" from 1620 - and Copenhagen Castle from 1418 - in the back. The drawbridge was called Hans Knip, who operated the drawbridge. The present "Knippelsbro" from 1937 - was later named after Hans Knip.
King Christian IV's Bastion and fortification from 1618 - is now turned into a peaceful park and recreation area - where modern architecture faces the old fortress with its ramparts and moats that once protected the citizens of Copenhagen and Christianshavn. The fortification - and bastion was in use - and fully operating until 1916.
 
Fortification surrounded Christianshavn
Christianshavn was surrounded by a fortification with five bastions that later developed into seven bastions to protect this little city outside of Copenhagen and reinforcements occurred between 1780-1790 - and again in 1810-1813 - after the heavy bombardment of Copenhagen. The fortification of Christianshavn from 1600s was operating until 1916 - and later then reestablished into a public park in 1918 - that still exists and in use today.
 
The Christianshavn quarters and neighbourhood is an architectural gem for tourist and visitors that can experience houses and building with a rich historic heritage. The Free City Christiania was established in 1971 - by a group of homeless citizens that occupied the old empty military barracks. Christiania is called - the city in the city - and is a great tourist attraction today.
The canal of Christianshavn from 1617 - offers its own charming and cosy atmosphere with no similarity to other canal cities. The narrow streets and colourful houses facing the artificial waterways together with jovial locals and tourists sitting on the edge of the canal pier enjoying a bring-your-own beer is the heartbeat of the canal quarters and residential culture.
 
The historical Christianshavn - and "Christiania"
King Christians IV’s Christianshavn with its canals from 1617 - has develop - after years with heavy industrial activity - into a quite charming and trendy residential area - with its own Free City called “Christiania” - established in old deserted military barracks in 1971 and with a population of over 10,000. The Christianshavn quarters and neighborhood is an architectural gem for tourist and visitors that can experience houses and building with a rich historic heritage from the time of the establishment of Christianshavn - like the preserved Artillery Barracks from 1664 - called “Irgens Gård” at Strandgade 44 - or all of the old house around Wildersgade from 1700 - as well as all the ancient buildings lined up alongside the canals with every street named “Ovengade” - Over the street.
 
One of Copenhagen's most significant landmarks is the stationary Mast Crane built during the reign of King Frederik V in 1748-1751 - that was used to hoist the huge masts of the naval battle ships. The old Mast Crane is placed on the prehistoric naval base on Nyholm, which is situated right beside the district of Christianshavn and is visible when entering the inner harbour of Copenhagen.

New and old buildings are painstakingly placed side by side around the canal system together with all types of boats and old vessels that are moored alongside the quay and adjoining streets in great harmony with the architectural environment from the establishment of Christianshavn up to our time. The spire of The Church of Our Saviour from 1696 is seen over the rooftops.

 
 
Canal Tour around Copenhagen Harbour
Take a video canal tour around Copenhagen harbour - and enjoy this historical city from the seaside. There are always English - German and French speaking guide onboard - that explains the wonders of Copenhagen. The boat tour takes approximately 1-hour.
 
 
The present Christianshavn’s Canal
Venice is world-famous for its 150 canals - built on an archipelago of 118 islands - as well as Amsterdam with it beautiful concentric canal system and without any comparison - the canals of Christianshavn from 1617 - has also its own special and cosy atmosphere - however in a smaller scale - with old historic buildings facing the artificial waterways together with lovial locals enjoying life in full scale sitting on the edge of the canal pier with a bring-your-own beer refreshment. This bustling and energetic part of a city in a major capital like Copenhagen that is divided by the cool fresh water and breeze from Copenhagen harbour - which is surrounded by the peaceful tranquillity of the canals filled with old wooden ships and plentiful of shops - restaurants - cafés - and most of all - the large popular park area called - Christianshavns Volde - built on the remains of King Christian IV’s old fortification - and bastion from 1618.

Picturesque canal - old buildings and ""Christiania"
Christianshavn with its picturesque canals and old buildings together with its Free City "Christiania" is a popular tourist attraction visited by thousands every year.
 
Location
Christianshavn and the canals are located on the east side of Copenhagen - on the Isle of Amager. Here are tourists venues like the Bastions of Copenhagen from 1618 - The Church of Our Saviour from 1696 - Christian's Church from around 1748 - The Naval Museum - The Naval Base and Docks “Holmen” from 1739 - The new “Opera House” from 2005.
 
Canal Tour around Copenhagen
The canal tour around Copenhagen is a part of our customized sightseeing tour - and takes approximately 1-hour.

Christianshavn and Canals

Address
The Christianshavn District
Copenhagen K

Christiania
Bådsmandsstræde 43
1407 Copenhagen K

Busses: 40 - 66 - 2A - 350S - 871

Metro - Christianshavn Station
Christianshavn and Canals-Copenhagen
 
 
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