Tags
Blågårds Plads, Carlsberg Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark, food, housing, Nørrebro, Nyhavn, restaurants, sightseeing
My exciting research period in Copenhagen started on March 1, 2013. I found a beautiful one-bedroom flat at Blågårds Plads in the vibrant district of Nørrebro, about 10 minutes walk from the busy train station Nørreport (though I soon discovered that for Danish people everything in Copenhagen is always 10 minutes away!). Alhtough the locals told me that the neighbourhood, and in particular my home square had a bad reputation, I really enjoy the lively, bohemian and multi-cultural neighbourhood life, with small cafes, live jazz music, bars and wonderful street vegetable stalls! Love it!
In Copenhagen, everyone needs a bike! This bike was love at first sight and I could immediately see myself cycling on it in a Copenhagen style, the front basket stuffed with flower buckets, organic food and, of course, a couple bottles of Carlsberg beer! By the way, did you know that the Carlsberg Foundation is one of the major funders of historical reserach in Denmark?
Like a proper tourist, I started my stay in Copenhagen with sightseeing in the city. I was accompanied by my daughter Venla, a trendy 20-year old jazz singer and graphic design student, who loves are, good food and art. Cruising on the canal boat, passing by the newly built Opera House on Holmen, the incredibly famous Little Mermaid and the new library buliding known as ‘Black Diamond’, we got a sense of Copenhagen’s charm. One of the most famous locations in the city is Nyhavn, the small harbour area sided by a row of colourful and picturesque building from the 1700s. The famous writer H. C. Andersen wrote his first fairy tale in the house number 20 down the harbour in 1835. Today, Nyhavn is filled with bars and cafes that offer a variety of drinks and the famous Danish Smørrebrød.
We soon discovered that people here are really friendly and relaxed. They seem to enjoy their life. Below, the city’s inhabitants are enjoying the lunch hour in front of the Black Diamond.
We also discovered some great restaurants. The Oyster & Grill near our place on Sjællandsgade in Nørrebro soon became our favourite. The place offers great steaks, beuatiful seafood platters and delicious home-made Italian bread in an informal setting, made up of small tables that are laid out with colourful tablecloths and candles. At our first visit, we stayed at the front bar and ordered a big platter of fresh mussels, prepared in parsley sauce, with a nice glass of white wine! Here is my daughter Venla. I recommend you book a table because the place is always full!