Our Copenhagen walking route!
Excited and more acquainted with Denmark's rail, we set out early to make the most of our last day at Copenhagen. Leaving the main train station and Tivoli Gardens behind, Ralph finally found an unoccupied city bike, operated like most airport luggage carts in chains: deposit a coin to release. And so our journey began with a visit to the Church of Our Lady near the city's university. Built in neoclassical style, the Lutheran church was a refreshing take on the gothic and baroque churches we have visited - clean, white, modern yet classical. A huge Jesus sculpture rests front and center while the disciples, each crafted with a symbol befitting them, line both side of the walls. Soon, we would find out that Hans Christian Andersen's funeral took place here and so was the dashing Prince Frederik of Denmark's wedding ceremony.
On a side note, finding similar pieces in different representations and locations i.e. Mother and Child and David amazes me. The pictures below of Bartholomew, who was skinned alive, are represented in two very different versions. Left, in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, he is seen simply holding a knife, while its Duomo di Milan's counterpart is pictured in a full body musculature with his flayed skin wrapped around him. Which do you like best?
On a side note, finding similar pieces in different representations and locations i.e. Mother and Child and David amazes me. The pictures below of Bartholomew, who was skinned alive, are represented in two very different versions. Left, in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, he is seen simply holding a knife, while its Duomo di Milan's counterpart is pictured in a full body musculature with his flayed skin wrapped around him. Which do you like best?
 Bartholomaeus, Church of Our Lady Denmark, Copenhagen |  The slightly blurry Bartholomaeus, Duomo di Milan, Milan, Italy |
More pictures of the Church or Our Lady
After the church, we passed through the city's main shopping streets with Ralph still enjoying his bike ride. Thrilled about seeing the Little Mermaid, we hurriedly walked past the inviting stores until the huge lego displays forced Ralph to park his bike and lured us away from our planned route. Well, anything for a photo op! But our pilgrimage must, must, must continue. But alas, Ralph's bike went poof, and in honesty, to my delight. Someone must have picked it up thinking it was an abandoned city bike while we were enamored with boy lego and grandma lego. Well finally, my wandering on the streets of Copenhagen on foot ALONE has finally come to an end!
The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen
Once we were out of Stroget's shopping area, we were greeted by Kongens Nytorv, a beautiful, well-kept square highlighting an equestrian statue. A few feet behind is the Nyhavns "New Port" Canal lined with colorful, charming old houses and beautiful boats with wooden masts ready for its sails. House No. 20 was Hans Christian Andersen's apartment in the 1800's. This canal is also a restaurant row, kinda like Venice with a slightly modern twist. Walking through it, we finally spotted the Waffelbageren Ice Cream Shop for Snack Time - vanilla ice cream over freshly baked waffels and whipped cream!
About 3 miles into our pilgrimage, we hit the Gefion Fountain based on a mythical story I have yet to read. The striking fountain features a hard to miss Joan of Arc-esque woman taming a team of oxens. And several feet beyond is finally, the Little Mermaid of Copenhagen. She quietly sits on top of a boulder, opposite the color and texture of her skin. Away from the picture monger tourists, her head turned sideways like a demure girl, aware of the popularity she could not and would never escape. For she is, after all, a mermaid set in stone.
Finally, we ended Copenhagen on a high note visiting the most interesting town in Christianshavn - Christiana, a place known for its alternative lifestyle where the idea of an open market meant weed trade and colorful, recycled houses dominate the small yet controversial town.
About 3 miles into our pilgrimage, we hit the Gefion Fountain based on a mythical story I have yet to read. The striking fountain features a hard to miss Joan of Arc-esque woman taming a team of oxens. And several feet beyond is finally, the Little Mermaid of Copenhagen. She quietly sits on top of a boulder, opposite the color and texture of her skin. Away from the picture monger tourists, her head turned sideways like a demure girl, aware of the popularity she could not and would never escape. For she is, after all, a mermaid set in stone.
Finally, we ended Copenhagen on a high note visiting the most interesting town in Christianshavn - Christiana, a place known for its alternative lifestyle where the idea of an open market meant weed trade and colorful, recycled houses dominate the small yet controversial town.
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