{"id":2761,"date":"2016-07-15T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2761"},"modified":"2016-07-11T12:05:46","modified_gmt":"2016-07-11T16:05:46","slug":"the-star-of-copenhagen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2761","title":{"rendered":"The Star of Copenhagen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>Many times I have walked near the bastioned ramparts of Kastellet while returning\u00a0from the waterfront, never realizing quite what it was or even that the public was allowed on the grounds.<\/p>\n

One of the best preserved star fortresses in Northern Europe, Kastellet’s construction began in 1626 as a part of the defense of the City of Copenhagen. \u00a0After the Swedish siege on Copenhagen from 1658 to 1660, the fort was rebuilt,\u00a0extended\u00a0and\u00a0named Citadellet Frederikshavn (The Citadel Frederik’s Harbor). \u00a0Today,\u00a0it is widely known as Kastellet (the Citadel) and it was part of the defense of Copenhagen against England in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807. \u00a0In 1940,\u00a0the Citadel was captured by German troops.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>Entry is by two gates…the King’s Gate on the south side, facing the city, and the Norway Gate, on the north side of the monument. \u00a0They are both built in the Dutch Baroque style and are edged\u00a0by guardhouses. \u00a0There are many buildings located throughout the grounds, including a church, the Commander’s house, a prison, a storehouse, a powder house, barracks\u00a0and a windmill. \u00a0Many military activities are conducted here by the Danish Defense Ministry, however, the area serves mainly as a park and historic site.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>The bastions, at each of the corners, are named The King’s Bastion, the Queen’s Bastion, The Count’s Bastion, The Princess’s Bastion and the Prince’s Bastion. \u00a0An inner and outer moat surrounds the citadel.<\/p>\n

Besides strolling the premises and admiring the views, there are a few things to see and do at Kastellet. \u00a0There are two small museums on the premises; \u00a0The Garrison’s Historical Collections is in one of the guard’s buildings inside the North Gate and the Livj\u00e6ger Museum. \u00a0Also, a changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every day at noon at the Central Guard House. \u00a0Military concerts are conducted on the drill grounds on summer afternoons at 1400. \u00a0On October 28, the Citadel’s birthday, an annual concert is held and on Store Bededag, a Danish holiday, it is tradition to promenade on the ramparts.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>While taking in the sites near the waterfront, be sure to incorporate Kastellet into your day. \u00a0Starting with a visit to St. Albans church in Churchill Park, you can then enter the Kastellet at the King’s Gate and explore the entire area. \u00a0Exit at the Norway Gate, proceeding to the waterfront area and the Little Mermaid. Walk along the Langelinie (pier) and make your way back to St. Albans, encountering the Gefion fountain along the way. \u00a0There is a lot\u00a0to see and do, so make sure to bring your camera and your walking shoes!<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

Kastellet<\/strong><\/p>\n