Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
1916



Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is situated on the bound, chiefly on the E. coast of Seeland, but partly on the island of Amager, which is separated from Seeland by a narrow arm of the Sound, which forms a harbor at once spacious, deep, and secure. Lat. (observatory) 55° 41' 12" N. ; Lon. 12° 34' 41" E. Copenhagen occupies a flat so low as to require to be protected by embankments against the Baltic. The part of the city which is on the island of Amager, a modern quarter, bears the name of Cristianshavn. It is so surrounded by water as almost to constitute a little island in itself. The extensive suburbs of Copenhagen were formerly separated from the city by the old fortifications. These have been levelled and converted into promenades. A modern system of fortifications on a grand scale, recently constructed far beyond the site of the old ones and embracing canals for flooding the approaches to the city, has converted Copenhagen into a great stronghold. The old citadel of Frederikshavn still remains in the NE. part of the city, but is no longer available for military purposes. Though Copenhagen is an ancient town, in consequence of repeated conflagrations the greater part of its old wooden houses have been replaced by lofty and well-built modern buildings of brick or Norwegian granite ; and in architectural character it yields to few European capitals. A portion of the old town is cut off by artificial waterways so as to form a rectangular island, called Slotsholm, or Castle Island, on which is an imposing array of public edifices. These include the buildings pertaining to the famous royal palace of Christiansborg, the main structure of which was destroyed by fire in 1884, the building of the ministries, the royal library, the Thorwaldsen Museum, with a facade in the style of the Etruscan sepulchral structures, the arsenal, and the exchange erected early in the seventeenth century. The principal of the public squares is the Kongens Nytorv (the New King's Market), which constitutes the centre of the city, no fewer than 12 streets opening into it. In its centre is a colossal statue of Christian V. On this square are the old royal pal ace of Charlottenborg, now converted into an academy of fine arts, and the new national theatre. In front of the former stands the equestrian statue of Frederick VII. and in front of the latter are the statues of the great national writers, Holberg and Oehlensohl'ager. About a third of a mile to the NE. of the Kongens Nytorv is the octagonal Amalienborg Square, on which are 4 stately palaces, one used for the royal residence. In the centre of the city is the principal church, the Fruhe Kirke, or Church of Our Lady, adorned with sculptures by Thorwaldaen. Close to it are the university buildings, the university library, and the zoological garden. Further N. are the extensive botanical gardens. Within these grounds or near by are the observatory, with a statue of Tyeho Brahe, the new buildings of the polytechnic institute, mineralogical museum, and chemical laboratory, and the art museum. Adjoining are the botanical gardens and the fine old royal palace and park of Rosenborg. The palace is now a museum of regalia, arranged in the chronological order of the Danish sovereigns. Among the prominent oh arches, in addition to the Fruhe Kirke, are St. Peter's, or the German church, Trinity church, the great round tower of which was formerly an observatory, and the Church of Our Saviour. The pleasure- grounds and public promenades of the city are on a scale commensurate with its architectural beauties and the wealth of its sculptural monuments. In the western quarter is Oersted Park, with a statue of the great physicist.

Copenhagen is the chief centre of Scandinavian literature, science, and art. The university, founded in 1478, has, together with the polytechnic institute, over 2000 students. Its library contains about 300,000 volumes. The royal library contains 550,000 volumes and 20,000 MSS. It is particularly rich in Northern literature, and among the MSS. is Rack's unique Sanskrit and Singhalese collection. The museum of Northern antiquities and the ethnographic museum, both forming part of the new national museum established in 1892, are unrivalled of their kind. Thorwaldsen's museum consists of works by that great sculptor and others bequeathed by him to the nation. It comprises also the mausoleum in which he is buried. Among other valuable collections is the royal gallery of paintings. The harbor of Copenhagen forms the great naval station of Denmark, being capable of enclosing the whole fleet. One portion, in the extreme N., has recently been set off for a free port, and here extensive warehouses have been erected. Among the leading manufacturing establishments of Copenhagen are its porcelain-works, which enjoy a European reputation. Ship-building is extensively carried on, and there are machine-shops, textile-factories, chemical works, sugar-refineries, etc. The city carries on an active commerce by water and land. Copenhagen is first mentioned, as a fishing hamlet, in 1043. In 1108 Bishop Absalon founded a haven and erected a fort on the Slotsholm as a place of refuge from the Northern pirates. The place then bore the name of Axelhuus. Shortly afterwards it rose to importance and acquired its present name of Kjobenhavn, or Merchants' Haven. The Danish fleet was defeated here by Nelson in 1801. In 1807 the town was bombarded by the British, who carried off the Danish fleet. Pop. in 1800, 312,387 ; in 1901, 378,235.

Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Visit Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
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Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark

Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark

Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark