Things to see and do Hovedstaden

The Royal Square is part of a development project commissioned by King Frederik V in 1749 on the occasion of the celebration of the tercentenary of the Oldenburg Dynasty's accession to power. The king's favourite, Count Moltke, was entrusted with the supervision of the project, which was entrusted to the master builder Nicolai Eigtved. The octagonal square, flanked by four palaces, is divided by two perpendicular axes opening onto the gates of Amalie Gade and Frederiks Gade. The project also included the Marble Church and the equestrian statue of the king. Thus, all the powers were thus united there!

The first palace to be completed was the Christian VII Palace or Moltke Palace (named after its first owner) at the corner of Frederiksgade on the southwest side. It was built by Eitgved himself, who decorated the Great Hall, one of the finest examples of Rococo interiors. After the architect's death, his successor, the Frenchman Nicolas-Henri Jardin, furnished the Great Hall for banquets. C.F. Harsdorff in turn converted it into a royal residence. Since 1885 it has been admirably restored and since then it has been used for official guests of the royal family, receptions and guided tours for the public.

The palace of Christian VIII (or Leventzau Palace) occupies the northwest side of the square. It was Lauritz de Thurah who completed the work after Eitgved's death, following the plans of his rival. It was built in the Empire style by Niciolai Abildgaard and now houses the Amalienborg Museum, which houses the Royal Collection of Jewellery and Costume that the ruling family has assembled since their accession to power.

Opposite, in the northeast corner, is the palace of Frederik VIII (or BrockdorffPalace ), also completed by Lauritz de Thurah. It was assigned to the Sea Cadets for a while, before welcoming members of the royal family. Queen Mother Ingrid lived there until her death in September 2000. A complete restoration was carried out in the years 2009-2010 so that the current Crown Prince could move in with his entire family.

Finally, in the south-east, the palace of Christian IX (called the Løvenskiold Palace or Schack Palace) was completed by Philip de Lange in the Louis XVI style. It is here that the royal family found refuge in 1794. King Christian IX resided here between 1863 and 1906, when Harsdorff redesigned the palace. The latter, nicknamed the "father-in-law of Europe", married his three daughters to European monarchs here. Today it is the residence of Sovereign Margrethe II.

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Henning Larsen was chosen by the shipowner's foundation A. P. Moller to draw this Opera House on an island surrounded by canals. Offered to the city and dedicated to Queen Margrethe II, it was inaugurated on 15 January 2005. The result - a perfect success! - soberly blends curves and materials of steel, marble and glass. The architect has surrounded himself with the finest in contemporary design: bronze reliefs in the foyer by Per Arnoldi, chandeliers created by Icelandic architect Olafur Eliasson. The Opera has a huge hall that can accommodate more than 1,500 music lovers.

Built between 1720 and 1722 on the shores of Lake Esrum, this baroque castle continues to serve as the residence of the royal family in the spring and fall. In July, tourists are admitted because the queen moves to Aarhus. Built by the architect Johan Cornelius Krieger, at the request of Frederic IV, who was very impressed by his travels in Italy, Fredensborg was expanded over the decades. For example, its splendid cupola saw the growth, towards the end of the 18th century, of four chimneys in the shape of minarets.

The orangery. The touch of modernity. Imposing and yet very light, it was desired by Queen Margrethe and designed by the architect Søren D. Schmidt in 1995. This 650 m² building is a glass echo of the castle: its dome and its black and white marble floor echo its codes. This audacious building follows the slope of the land. It operates in an ecological manner: recycled rainwater, no pesticides used. Here, we produce royal bio! The vegetable crops supply the royal kitchens.

The park. A vast perspective, designed as a wide avenue of grass, opens up among the trees. To the west, in a hemicycle clearing, we discover 69 statues offered to their sovereigns by Icelandic, Norwegian and Feringian fishermen. Finally, near the lake, two small pavilions designed by Nicolas Jardin, are reflected in the water.

Military parades. When the queen resides at the castle, the changing of the guard takes place at noon, every day.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Dyrehaven was a royal hunting reserve reserved for big game hunting. On more than 1,000 ha, it still offers today a superb wood, an amusement park, a golf course and a racecourse! Since 2015, the park is registered on the Unesco list. A long stroll along its marked paths allows you to observe and even admire herds of deer and fallow deer up close. A fabulous show for young and old and totally free!

Nestled at the end of this part of Standgade along the Nordea bank headquarters, is a strange and rather spectacular church. It was built for the German community who obtained the authorization of King Christian VI. A lottery was even organized to finance it. Designed by Nicolai Eigtved in 1759, its interior layout is unusual: a vast quadrilateral surrounded on three sides by three levels of wooden boxes, including the royal box facing the choir.

Copenhagen's Central Station has a lot to impress with its Viking castle look. As the nerve centre of the rail and urban transport network, apart from this functional aspect, it deserves that we take the time to look at it! Designed by Heinrich Wenck in 1911, its architectural style echoes the town hall beyond Tivoli Park. Medieval historicist influences, the modernity of its hall, its 12 quays covered by a metal frame.