Byvandringer i København

Along a winding route through the quiet residential streets of northern Gentofte, many Danish design classics were created: Hans Wegner's many chairs, Børge Mogensen's People's Chair, Finn Juhl's Chieftain Chair, and not least, Arne Jacobsen's Ant Chair.

On the edge of Dyrehaven, and from the top of the hill at Jægersborg down to the beach at Bellevue, many of the leading architects of the 1950s built their homes. They lived in them and ran their studios from there during the day. This was where the design and architecture that would put Denmark on the world map took shape – what, decades later, would become known as "Danish Modern".

This 7 km long tour takes you past all the famous villas, some hidden behind foliage and fences, others fully visible. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the residents, the buildings, and the world famous furniture they created.

City walk in Copenhagen. Take a guided tour of the inner city and discover why many streets, towns and squares have such interesting street names. I explain why Cristal street, Krystalgade, has got its special name, why one street is called "shit street" (Magstræde) and the main walking street is called Købmagergade, just as I tell the story of the "Grey Brother-" and "Coal-" squares and much more.

Copenhagen is about much more than castles and grand old palaces. The city is also home to remarkable architectural masterpieces from a new era – many of them now around 80 years old. These buildings are highlights of the golden age of Functionalism, when form, function and modern living came together in striking new ways.

In a relatively small area around Copenhagen's lakes, many of Denmark's most celebrated architects created unique landmarks that are still well worth discovering today. Different in expression and materials, but well thought out as a whole, where furniture and even door handles were thought through. That was the Danish functionalism in its thinking. The houses and furniture are still in our everyday lives.

Vilhelm Lauritzen designed the radio house (1945) in clinker and stone lined with dark wood. On Åboulevarden, Kåre Klint squeezed in the Bethlehem Church (1938) here the motif was Gothic with brick vaults. Around the lakes, Kay Fisker and C. F. Møller built large apartment blocks in cheerful Danish red stone – the finest example is the large castle-like Vestersøhus (1939). In the street further away, Arne Jacobsen began his experiments with Curtain Wall – glass facades with hidden supporting column structures. First we see the office building for A. Jespersen and Son (1955) and a little further on is Arne Jacobsen's famous SAS Hotel.

We look at the furniture from the great Danish classic designers such as Kaare Klint, Hans Jorgen Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjærholm.

How were they inspired and how they developed new techniques and idioms? We are talking about the international inspiration and influence, particularly within Danish design DNA that Denmark is known for internationally. The concept of democratic design is also linked to the Scandinavian design tradition and we are looking into this.

The tour has its starting point at the Design Museum Denmark and can be continued for Carl Hansen & Son's flagship store to feel and try some of the designs we've seen.

Epidemics in Copenhagen – cholera, plague, typhus and the development of the city.

The year is 1853, and the first report of cholera is received by the authorities in Copenhagen. It is the start of another epidemic in the city, which has been hit by many different diseases throughout the ages, like plague, tuberculosis, polio and recently corona.

The Danish Navy were based at Holmen, where military ships were build and fitted from 1690 to modern times. Recently the last parts of the Marine have been moved to other places. The old buildings are transformed to house businesses, architects or simply into apartments.

The area is filled with stories from dramatic times, for example from the Battle of Copenhagen when the British stole the Danish fleet in 1807 and the German occupation during WW2 where the Danish Navy sunk their own ships.

It's possible to walk to Holmen from Ny Havn harbour across one of the new bridges. It's also possible to go by the harbour-boats.

Holmen's and Garnison's emeteries in Copenhagen.

Holmen's and Garnison's cemeteries are located close to Østerport Station and they're the oldest active cemeteries in Copenhagen – respectively from 1666 and 1671. Originally they were dedicated to the military and navy, serving as place of rest many an admiral and general. Even regular soldiers are buried here – and it might be a bit overwhelming, but these cemeteries are also home to several mass graves from the Battle of Copenhagen (1801) and the war of 1864.

But there isn't just war graves here. Many known politicians, musicians and actors lie peacefully in these flower-covered cemeteries.

The chapels also boast of a lot of history. The somewhat humble chapel at Garnison's contains a dark history related to Nazi Germany. Holmen's chapel was originally a Norwegian stave church!

The cemeteries can be visited individually or in combination, since they're located at very short distance from each other. The walk is amazingly beautiful, since these cemeteries are park-like areas with large trees and ample benches.

Embark on an archaeological journey in the Viking Age and the Middle Ages.

On this city walk we will move in the oldest part of Copenhagen, towards Rådhuspladsen. I will tell you about the city's appearance and structure, its trade and the dominant Catholic religion.

We'll meet the humble peasant and merchant from Sct. Clemens Cemetery and hear stories about disease, health and everyday life in the Medieval Copenhagen. 

We'll stop at Gråbrødre square where the oldest of the city's monasteries was situated and we'll finish at Kultorvet, where archaeological findings of surgical objects can tell us more about death and medical treatment in the past.

A walk from Roskildevej in Rødovre to Utterslev Mose in Brønshøj, which is approximately half of the total rampart.

As a green belt with hundreds of picnic areas and "secret" resting or play areas, Vestvolden – the western rampart stretches 15 km around the western suburbs of Copenhagen.

The rampart is part of the fortification that was constructed around 1900 as a response to the British attack on Copenhagen in 1806. Vestvolden consists of green lanes, avenues and plains in various levels. As a natural part of the fortification there is also a moat as well as "shooting kaponieres" built in concrete.

It has in recent years been restored and re-emerged from decades of vegetation. Today it is a place for many types of physical challenges and recreational activities from walking, running, biking, picnics, role plays. Only for non-motorised traffic.

Refreshments or picnic must be supplied as there are no natural places on the route – a visit to the exhibition and information center may be possible if planned.

Have a fine beer at the best craft beer bars at Nørrebro and get to know more about beer styles and flavour. The fascinating story about the beer revolution in both Denmark and internationally will also be a part of the walk.

Nørrebro is the district in Copenhagen, where you are most likely to find excellent craft beer in the city of Copenhagen, which is internationally famous the quallity of craft beer bars. 

You will find around 20 craft beer bars at Nørrebro. During the walk we will visit four of the best bars: BRUS, Ølsnedkeren, Himmeriget og 1420.

We shall taste the revolution at BRUS, Ølsnedkeren, Himmeriget og 1420.

Beer ekspert, blogger, journalist og author will be your guide. 

Nørrebro is an old working-class neighbourhood that today contains everything from dense immigrant areas, trendy city life, green courtyards, a Michelin-starred restaurant and Copenhagen's most beautiful cemetery, which also functions as a park.

On my city walk, you'll get an introduction to the development Nørrebro has undergone and we'll look at how urban regeneration can be solved in different ways. We'll see some of Copenhagen's largest courtyard environments and hear about life around Blågårds Plads in the old days.

We pass Folkets Hus and Folkets Park and hear about residents' initiatives to fight rent increases and much more. After a few surprises, we end in Jægersborggade, which has the city's most exciting shops and restaurants.

The city walk can be extended by an hour, which includes an introduction to and a walk through the Superkilen, a brand new, international award-winning architectural initiative. The tour will then end in Mjølnerparken.

Copenhagen is worldknown for its many green towers and spires, its beautiful harbourside and beautiful medieval town.

On this tour you will hear about how Copenhagen changed from a medieval city to an urban metropol during the last 150 years. On our way we will take a look at the oldest street in town, enter the lobby of one of the first skyscrapers in town and hear about how the harbourside transforms from industrial harbour to recreation these years. 

If you want to explore some of the newest areas in town, like Ørestaden, we can supply the tour by catching the subway to take a look at its large scaled buildings as well. This adds another hour to the tour.