The
Old Citadel The Citadel was first established by King
Christian IV in 1626 to protect
Copenhagen from the Seaside. The fortress is Europe's oldest
military bastion and still in operation. This military complex
was completed in 1660s - and was a part of
Copenhagen's rampart. The Fortress Park is a typical renaissance
fortification with five bastions that served as a defence
installation until the mid 19th century. Most of the buildings
in the old Citadel are still intact from the period of
King Frederik III (1658-1660) and are the head quarters
of the Danish Defence Intelligence.
The
main road at the Citadel in 1865 with the Kings gate at the
back in classic baroque style and the old barracks that served
as army head quarters.
The
original and well decorated Kings gate from 1662-63 with the
sculpture of King Frederik III. All traffic went through this
guarded gate in the past.
The
Kings gate with the Queens and the Counts bastions on each
side of the gate.
Arial
view of the old Citadel from 1626. The fortress is one of
the best preserved in Europe
The
ongoing construction and rebuilding
King Christian IV had also planned to build a castle on the
Citadel premises but the project was suspended due to the
Kings financial situation and construction of the Citadel
was continued by his son and successor King Frederik
III (1609-1670 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1648-1670)
- with help by the Dutch architect and engineer Henrik Rüse.
After the Swedish attack and assault of Copenhagen 1658-1660
the Bastions of the Citadel was rebuilt to better resist bombardments
- mortars and other artillery. Last the Citadel of Copenhagen
was in use was during the heavy battle of the city against
the Royal British Fleet in 1807.
The
Citadel Church in 1890 with the exercise grounds in front.
In 1902 the Church became a parish of its own with a local
community and belongs to the Danish State Church called "Folkekirken"
- but still serves the present military administrative personal.
The
Citadel church is built during 1703-04 and is decorated with
King Frederik IV's monogram on the front wall. The prison
is built behind the church - and until 1840 prisoner could
follow the "Word of God" through a hole in the wall
- and participate in the church services from their prison
cells.
The
Church and Prison
The Church at the Citadel (Kastellet) was built in 1704
in heavy Baroque style during the reign of King Frederik
IV (1671-1730 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1699-1730)
- who extended the church with a prison-complex at the back
of the building in 1725. Between the walls
of the prison and church - there were holes to the prisoner’s
cells so the inmates could follow the church services. A prominent
prisoner at the Citadel prison was Count Johann Friedrich
von Struensee (1737-1772) - who was a German doctor
and royal physician to the schizophrenic King Christian
VII (1749-1808 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1766-1808).
Struensee’s affair with Queen Caroline Matilda
(1751-1775) - and his increasing political power caused his
downfall and dramatic execution by being beheaded in 1772
after being a prisoner at the Citadel.
On
the rampart is the original windmill from 1847 that replaced
the first mill from 1718. The Citadel had its own bakery and
the mill supplied the flour and dough for bread baking until
1908.
Of
94 cannons produced in Denmark from the period 1766-1769,
three 12-pounder bronze cannons are still placed on the
Princesses bastion as historical and decorative monuments.
New
National Monument to Honour Brave Danish Soldiers
The
new National Memorial with the granite walls has the inscription
of all the fallen Danish Soldiers - who lost their young
and precious lives in international peace keeping missions
abroad - firmly to defend democracy and freedom in the developing
countries and to prevent and reduce the treat of terrorism
worldwide.
The
National Monument of Remembrance is placed right in the centre
of the Old Citadel at the “Prinsessens Bastion”
and is open for families and the public - who want to honour
their war dead in a more respectful way. In time - the area
around the monument of commemoration - will turn into a flowering
and well planted Memorial Grove.
The
National Monument of Remembrance
A new national monument of remembrance for the many brave
Danish soldiers - who lost their young and precious lives
in international peace keeping missions abroad
- firmly to defend democracy and freedom
in the developing countries and to prevent and reduce the
treat of terrorism worldwide - has been inaugurated on September
5th - 2011 - on the special flag
and memorial day for Denmark’s deployed personnel
at the Old Citadel (Kastellet) in Copenhagen. The national
monument - with an eternal flame burning - is placed at the
“Prinsessens Bastion” in the
centre of the Citadel area - and is open for the grieving
families and supportive public - who now can honour their
beloved deceased and fellow citizens - that died in service
for Denmark - and who now can be remembered in a respectful
and decent manner. In time - the area around the monument
of commemoration - will turn into a flowering and well planted
Memorial Grove. On the granite walls is the
inscription of the names of the fallen - and the inscription
signature of the monument is - “ONE TIME - ONE
PLACE - ONE HUMAN BEING”. (EN TID - ET STED
- ET MENNESKE).
The
Day of Prayer (Store Bededag)
Walk
around the rampart and eat “Hveder” Tourists
can visit these popular historical areas and walk around the
ramparts that once protected the city and at the same time
see the harbour and city skyline from another view. For Copenhageners
a great tradition once a year is to stroll around the ramparts
the day before The Day of Prayer (Store Bededag).
After the walk people eat a special type of wheat buns made
of year called “Hveder” - and
drink tee or coffee with it.
A
great tradition since 1747 is to walk on the ramparts of the
Citadel before The Day of Prayer (Store Bededag).
After
walking on the ramparts it is a tradition to eat warm wheat
buns called "Hveder" before The Day of Prayer (Store
Bededag).
The
Royal Ballet performs free every summer at the Citadel, where
they give a captive audience a special historical experience.
Open-Air
Ballet
The Danish Royal Ballet performs every August in open-air
at the Citadel (Kastellet) - where the historical surrounding
are a perfect scenery for this special event.
Location
The Old Citadel is a peaceful military area and a historical monument
and park from 1626. The area is open to the public
and a great tourist attraction located on the old fortifications
of Copenhagen nearby The Little Mermaid - Langelinie
Quay - Gefion Fountain - The Resistance
Museum - English Church and Amalienborg
Palaces.
The
Old Citadel (Kastellet)
Address
Kastellet - The Old Citadel
2100 Copenhagen Ø
