Denmark > The free state Christiania

After breakfast, I walk along the quay back to Kastellet. The weather is beautiful, and I plan to take the ferry across to Christianshavn.

Denmark - The water taxi to cross to the other side of Inder Havn

The quay is busy with tourists, many of whom have just arrived from the cruise ships. As I approach the ferry stop, I see the boat leaving. Unfortunately. If I understand Danish correctly, the next ferry will arrive in twenty minutes. I stroll around the area and eventually sit down on a bench. Slowly, the crowd at the ferry stop grows, but no boat comes. Only around 11:30, more than half an hour later, does the ferry finally arrive. Apparently, one ferry is out of service, so only a single boat is running. I buy two tickets and take the ferry to Holmen Nord, the first stop across the water. When I step off, a sense of calm overtakes me. No crowds, no tourists. Holmen is an old naval base. Nowadays, artists mostly live in the old naval warehouses, and many buildings have been converted into trendy apartments for people wanting to escape the busy city center. The modern opera house on the quay is also characteristic of the area.

Denmark - Warehouses in Little Amsterdam

I walk among the buildings and warehouses toward Christiania. Christiania is a squatter’s enclave. The residents have declared it a “free state” and even use their own currency. Taking photos is discouraged—perhaps because drugs are traded here. At the central square, among the brightly colored wooden houses, I order a cola at a small café. It’s entertaining just to watch the people passing by. I leave Christiania through the main entrance and cross over to the “Little Amsterdam” district. The canal houses along the water closely resemble those in our own capital. Large sailing yachts line the quay. The canal leads me back to Vor Frelsers Kirke, a distinctive church tower with a spiral staircase on the outside leading to the top. Unfortunately, the church is under restoration and won’t reopen until April 2009. That’s quite a long wait. I return to central Copenhagen via the bridge.