Weird and wonderful attractions to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark [Image by Paolo Ghedini from Pixabay]Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is spread over the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. Moreover, the city is linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. Meanwhile, the city’s historic center, Indre By, features Frederiksstaden, the 18th-century rococo district, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace.
The Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle nearby is a worthy visit, as is the Christiansborg Palace. Moreover, visitors must have also seen a certain mermaid, pictured above. While these are all wondrous attractions, Copenhagen also has some weird and wonderful attractions that are a must-visit.
Weird and wonderful attractions to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark
Anyone who has already visited Copenhagen, Denmark has probably explored all the well-known attractions. For a unique tour of the country’s capital, take a look at the following weird, wonderful and unique attractions in the city.
Elephant Gate at Carlsberg Brewery
Elephant Gate at Carlsberg Brewery [Image by Troels Dejgaard on Flickr]When taking a tour of the Carlsberg Brewery, make sure you visit the Elephant Gate. The gate features four life-size elephant statues featuring a familiar symbol emblazoned on their sides. While the symbol is a large swastika there is a positive reason they are there. The Elephant Gate was completed in 1901 and was part of a building complex for the Ny (New) Carlsberg Brewhouse, started by Carl Jacobson as part of a competition with his father who started the original Carlsberg Brewery, now known as the Gamle Carlsberg Brewery.
Swastika symbol at the Elephant Gate [Image by malouette on Flickr]When he first started planning his new venture in 1882, Carl adopted a symbol that would bring good luck and prosperity to his business. While nowadays, the swastika is a negative item, in ancient times the symbol was associated with good fortune.
Moreover, the word “swastika” comes from a Sanskrit word meaning a “lucky or auspicious object.” Meanwhile, the swastika became inauspicious during the 1930s and was discontinued by the brewery in 1940. All that remains is the symbols on the sides of the elephants at the gate.
Take time to visit Jens Olsen’s World Clock
Jens Olsens World Clock, Copenhagen, Denmark [Image Alphalphi~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons]Jens Olsen’s World Clock is a gilded and beautiful astronomical clock that calculates time, dates and planetary positions for thousands of years into the future. The clock is hosted in a tower at the City Hall in Copenhagen and calculates global times and dates and planetary positions with precision. Moreover, as long as someone winds the clock each week, it will accurately display the information for the next 2,500 years.
The clock is one of the most precise mechanical clocks in the world and not only displays the local time but also the solar time. It also displays the exact time in places throughout the world. Moreover, it reveals the relative positions of stars and planets, the Gregorian calendar and future dates of changing holidays.
Locksmith Jens Olsen was 25 when he saw the astronomical clock on display in the Notre Dame Cathedral. This inspired him to create his own in 1897. He learned the art of watchmaking and established himself as a master craftsman. Olsen then went on to create his comprehensive astronomical clock. Learn more about the astronomical clock on the Copenhagen Museum’s website.
Ski at CopenHill in Copenhagen, Denmark
CopenHill Urban Mountain [Image by Bente Jønsson from Pixabay]CopenHill is a unique ski slope, built above a power plant in the industrial neighborhood of Amager in Copenhagen. The reusable energy power plant is part of the city’s move towards clean energy, while above, the ski slope is a fully functioning attraction offering not only a great dry ski but also panoramic views over the city.
Visitors have a choice of a ski lift or elevators to get to the top, and pathways along the edge for fitness enthusiasts and strollers. All this is encased in a stunning, silver-colored building, and boasts the highest climbing wall in the world outside its edges.
[Image CopenHill Urban Mountain on Facebook]The structure was designed by Danish architecture firm BIG as a grand gesture towards Denmark reaching its goal of becoming the first carbon-neutral city by 2025. Meanwhile, the firm’s CEO, Bjarke Ingels said that CopenHill is “a crystal clear example of hedonistic sustainability” with the potential to generate enough clean energy for 150,000 homes per year while incinerating 440,000 tons of waste.
Find out more about this unique attraction on the official website here.