From Nyhavn Bredgade and its parallel twin, Store Kongensgade, are the main shopping streets of the residential Frederiksstaden to the north. The area was planned and built in the 18th century for the well-to-do who wanted stately homes close to the center.
At Bredgade 68 is Designmuseum Danmark, featuring classic Danish design as well as European and oriental objects. The building (1757) was originally a hospital.
Opposite the museum three domes tower over Alexander Nevski Russian Orthodox Church, which was built in 1881 by the Russian government and contains a number of fine icons.
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Close by looms the grand copper dome of Fredrikskirke, popular known as the Marble Church. The church was meant to be a majestic rococo monument designed to rival St. Peter’s in Rome, but the king Frederik V ran out of money and the project was cancelled in 1770. The church was not completed until 1894, and when the project was resumed it was built not in marble but in limestone. Join one of the tours and experience the splendid view across Sound to Sweden.
The statues outside the church represent important Danish clergymen and theologians.
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Amalienborg Palace, across Bredgade towards the harbor, is the winter residence of the royal family, one of Europe’s less assuming royal domiciles, built in the 18th century. One wing of the palace houses the Amalienborg Museum, whose reconstructed rooms contain exhibitions on the monarchy from 1863 to 1972.
The Royal Guard are always on duty, and the changing of the guard at noon every day attracts both children and adults. If the flag is flying, then the Queen is in residence and the full ceremony will take place.
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The exquisite equestrian statue in the square represents Frederik V and was made by the French sculptor Jacques Saly.
Frederiksstaden in Copenhagen, written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Sunset at Amalienborg. Photo Martin Heiberg/Visit Copenhagen