 |
 |
by Jim Krumm
Click here to go to the Computer Science Department Home Page for Casper College at www.caspercomsci.com.
|
|
|
The Kingdom of Denmark has a about 5 million people, of which 2.8 million live in the greater Copenhagen area. Denmark possesses Greenland, the largest island in the world, as well as the Faeroe islands in the North Sea. The average life expectancy is 77 years. Denmark is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe in per capita income, falling behind only the countries of Luxemburg, Norway and Switzerland, respectively. It consists of 16,000 square miles or less than one fifth the size of Wyoming. Geographically the country is very flat, suitable for excellent agriculture, and consists of many islands. Historically Denmark has had a tremendous impact particularly on England, as the Danish tribe the Angles (from which the word England is derived) and their cousins from northern Germany the Saxons conquered England in the 5th century. Further, at the time of the Vikings, Danes colonized much of England, forming an eastern tier of England. Indeed, Canute, a Danish Viking King created an empire that included either directly or by proxy England, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, and Ireland. Canute (Cnut in Danish) was known for bringing peace and prosperity to England and for his wisdom. Later in history, the Normans, who descended from Danish and Norwegian Vikings went on to conquer and rule England.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark and is known as the City of Beautiful Towers. Copenhagen is over a thousand years old. It was important even prior to the time of the Vikings because it had a good harbor. In ancient times it was called Kømædenes Havn or in English the Merchants Harbor. The name over time was shortened to København, as it is now known to the Danes. The warrior Bishop Absalon of Røskilde fortified the walls of København in 1167 AD. The area of Slotsholmen, or Old Copenhagen, dates back to this time. Slotsholmen is on an island connected by 9 bridges. Nyhavn is what used to be the rough and tumble seaman’s section of town, but now it is a very fancy tourist attraction with numerous restaurants. The famous little mermaid statue in Copenhagen's harbor stands as tribute to one of Denmark’s greatest authors, Hans Christian Andersen. Rådhuspladsen, the town hall of Copenhagen, is a popular meeting place for Danes and visitors alike. Also above are images from Tivoli, a world famous amusement park in the middle of Copenhagen next to the main train station.
Castles, Palaces, and Cathedrals
The palace of Amalienborg Slot is Queen Margarethe II's official residence in Copenhagen. Hammershus is an ancient castle dating back to medieval times on Bornholm and is a striking set of ruins. Christian IV is remembered as a popular King with Danish People today, remembered for his feistiness. Militarily, he often held his own against the Swedes, though by the end of his reign Denmark began to lose much of it's power. He is best remembered for commanding his fleet in a battle in his 60's against the Swedes, and in the heat of battle he lost an eye, but still continued to command his fleet from the deck of his ship. Rosenberg was his Copenhagen residence, a very Spartan and small fortress in Copenhagen. Today, Rosenberg is a museum and houses the crown jewels. Frederiksborg was also built by Christian, and is the most beautiful castle in northern Europe. Erik Glippings, a Danish King is shown just before being killed by an assassin's arrow. Røskilde is the site of where all the Danish kings since ancient times have been laid to rest under the stones of the floors and in standing sarcophagi throughout the cathedral.
Sjaellands Odde
In the northwest of the island of Sjælland, is a tiny peninsula which extends out into the sea for 20 miles and is less than a mile wide. The people here have fished since people have lived here and farmed the land. When I think about what I like the best about Denmark, I think of this place. In the pictures above are the family Jensen who own their family’s traditional small holding, which is a small farm which extends to the sea. Niels works overseeing the operation of lighthouses in a portion of Denmark for the government. In the past he was assigned to do this in Greenland. For their entire lives Erik and Eigel have fished these waters. Many years ago Erik and Eigel caught a huge tuna off Sjælland's Odde. The tuna weighed close to 2000 pounds and was in all the biggest newspapers in Denmark. It was the one of the very few tunas caught in the Baltic Sea in recent years. This is a shame, as Sjælland's Odde was once well known for the large tunas caught here. The fisherman here go out at night in their small boats dragging a net that rolls on the sea bottom like a parachute a quarter of a mile behind. The fisherman usually bring in their nets after fishing all night. Occasionally they get surprised by what they find. Fishermen have found the remains of old American and English World War II aircraft shot down on their bombing raids. In the church yard of the local church are several English and Canadian airmen who lost their lives here. Sadly, in recent years, the fishing in the area has declined to such a point that very few fishermen are still able make a viable living.
Off the shores of this fishing village about 200 years ago the Prinds Christian Frederik was being pursued by an English naval squadron during the Napoleonic Wars. The captain tried to run through the reef using a narrow pass only known by the locals. Unfortunately, he ran aground and his ship became an easy target for the English. In this sea battle which took place just a few hundred yards from the harbor, the Danish hero Willemoes, along with many others, was killed.
Several pictures above deal with Saint Hans’s night or Mid Summers night. The fires are lit on the edge of the sea throughout Scandinavia to celebrate the burning of a witch who lured many seamen to their deaths on the shores of Germany. Today it is a festive night, even in the rain complete with bands, fireworks, and dancing. The Danes are known everywhere as being a fun loving people who enjoy any excuse for a good celebration.
The tomb in the above photograph above is around 5000 years old. The locals used to believe it was built by giants, because inside the tomb are stones in the ceiling which span 7 or 8 feet and it was thought at one time only giants could carry such large stones. The entire structure inside is lined with stone, and outside it is covered with earth forming a large mound. This one is extraordinary because it has 2 burial chambers.
Amager, Bakken, Dragor, Bornholm, Koge, Roskilde
 Dragor |
 Bridge to Sweden from Denmark |
 Tunnel to Sweden from Denmark |
 Bakken |
 Bakken |
 Island of Bornholm |
 Bornholm |
 Cafe Call on Bornholm |
 Koge |
 Koge |
 Roskilde Festival |
 A Huge Viking Long Ship |
The harbor city Dragor's architecture on the island of Amager was heavily influenced by the Dutch who came to live here long ago with the interesting houses and cobblestone streets they built. Nearby is the bridge which connects Sweden and Denmark. This bridge connects Sweden to rest of European directly through Denmark and is the longest bridge in Europe. The bridge consists of a underwater sea tunnel, a man made island, and the Oresund Bridge. Together it is one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world.
The island of Bornholm is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. Bornholm is a favorite place Danes like to go on "holiday" as they put it. It has rocky cliffs, an old castle that dates back to Viking times, high rolling hills, beautiful beaches, and deep forests that are so dark it is as if it is night time when you enter them even in the middle of the day. Bornholm is magical.
Bakken is a amusement park to the north of Copenhagen, at Klampenborg, and is a good excuse to take a train trip from Copenhagen. To get to Bakken you travel through woods called called Dyrehaven, originally established for royal deer hunts. Dyrehaven has several hundred deer living in the park. These beautiful woods are a great place to go for a walk. It is possible to ride in a horse drawn carriage to get from the train station to the amusement park. There is also a popular beach at Klampenborg called Bellevue Beach.
Roskilde was the traditional center for the coronation and burial of Kings. It was also where the remains of Viking ships have been unearthed and are kept in Roskilde's Viking Ship Museum. At this museum Viking ships are built using traditional methods. These ships are agile and make very good speed, even compared to modern sailboats. The bottom of these boats are filled with rocks, used for ballast. Before the Viking times rowing ships were used in ancient times before the advent of sails and the Viking age. One such ship is in the Danish Museum of Natural History. This galley, perhaps 100 feet long, dating to 500 AD is elegant, and is as sleek as any Viking ship. Such ships were used by chieftains to make war and travel between the hundreds of islands which comprise Denmark. In the Danish Museum of Natural History there is an impressive store of Viking treasure. Often the Vikings would bury their wealth in ceramic jars. Sometimes when the owners failed to return, the treasure was lost to time. These recovered hoards of coins usually consist of silver and sometimes a few made of gold. Some of the coins date back to Roman times. There are many, many such hoards which have been unearthed and are on display in the Museum of Natural History. Also at the Danish Museum of Natural History are numerous examples of Rune stones, Viking swords and axes, and even garments and armor.
©All rights reserved by James Krumm. Originally made available at www.caspercomsci.com. Materials here can be used, and redistributed, provided proper reference is made to the origin and author(s) of these materials. Please send any corrections or suggestions to jkrumm@caspercollege.edu. Last modified July 7, 2009.
James Krumm |
