City Hall Square

This emblematic oldest square in Copenhagen (Old Market) With adjoining Nytorv it forms a common space along the Strøget pedestrian street. While the square dates back to the foundation of the city in the 12th century, most of its buildings were constructed after the Great Fire of 1795 in Neoclassical style. Another dominating feature is the Caritas Well, a Renaissance fountain erected by King Christian IV in 1610. Also we find Nytorv (new square) Together with the adjoining Gammeltorv it forms large square in the pedestrian street, a dominated by the imposing Neoclassical façade of the Copenhagen Court House, which from 1815-1905 also served as the City Hall.

The Copenhagen Cathedral, today designed by the architect C.F. Hansen in Neo-Classicist style. The foundation stone was laid by King Frederik VI in 1817, and the solemn consecration took place on Whitsunday 1829. This site served a church since Bishop Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen, had a small chapel built on the premises. The original church was erected at the highest point in the town around 1200. The church has seen many important events throughout Danish history. This is where King Valdemar Atterdag gave away his nine-year old daughter Margrethe - later Queen Margrethe I - in marriage in 1363, in 1855 the funeral of Søren Kierkegaard, and in 2004, Crown Prince Frederik and Australian Mary Donaldson were married here. Inside we have Thorvaldsen's sculptures The statues of Christ and the twelve apostles. Above the altar, Christ extends his arms in a welcoming gesture, while the apostles watch from the sides of the nave. Judas has been replaced by Paul. Battle of Copenhagen In 1807, the cathedral was hit by a incendiary rocket during the British bombardment led by Admiral James Gambier and General Lord Cathcart. The bombardment resulted in the cathedral's burning down.

At the pedestrian street, area of the medieval tournaments, one of the centrals dynamic square of city centre facing the Christianborg Palace, the warrior-bishop who has traditionally been credited as the founder of Copenhagen. It was inaugurated in 1901 to commemorate the septcentennial of his death. also knows as the Gammel strand (old beach) On the south side it borders on the narrow Slotsholmens Canal while the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century

We will enter the magnificent Christiansborg palace which was once the official resident of the Royal family.