Denmark again 👍🏻 Kastellet & Glyptotek! 🇩🇰

… back in Denmark, Copenhagen again: this progressive Nordic city is a bit bland for my taste, yet still full of surprises 😂 lol - every time I visit it ene-up finding something new!

This time I found the impressive bastion fortress of Kastellet and an amazing treasure of a museum full of some of the best painters’ masterpieces: the Glyptotek!

Kastellet is a citadel located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the best preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. It is constructed in the form of a pentagon with bastions at its corners.

Kastellet in Copenhagen was constructed in 1663 under King Frederik III, after the original fort on the site was compromised by a Swedish attack in 1658. It was partially rebuilt again in the nineteenth century when the distinctively star-shaped building, flanked by a moat, served as a prison.

During the Second World War, Kastellet was used as a base by German forces whilst they occupied Copenhagen.

Today, still in a great state of preservation, Kastellet is a military base. Its grounds have been turned into a park, which is open to the public, although there is no access to the inside of the fortification.

Kastellet history

King Christian IV of Denmark initiated the construction of a fortress at this vantage point in 1626 with the building of an advanced post to guard the entrance to the port. King Frederick III succeeded King Christian IV and continued the construction of Kastellet with the commissioning of this star-shaped fortress.

The fortress was a vital part of Copenhagens defences in the years that followed. After the Swedish siege on Copenhagen 1658–1660 the Dutch engineer Henrik Rüse was called in to help rebuild and extend the construction. The fortress played an important in the Battle of Copenhagen when Denmark faced attack from England at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Church at the Citadel was built in 1704 in the Baroque style during the reign of King Frederik IV and a prison complex was built on the rear side of the church in 1725. Holes in the wall between the church and the prison cells made it possible for the prisoners to follow the church services.

The windmill in the southwestern corner of Kastellet was built in 1847, replaces another mill from 1718. Since a fortified city needed secure supplies, including supplies of flour and rolled groats, in the event of siege, numerous windmills were constructed on the bastions. In 1800, a total of 16 windmills were found on the ramparts of Copenhagen. The mill at Kastellet is the last which is still working.

Kastellet was renovated between 1989–1999 with funds from the A.P. Møller and Wife Chastine McKinney Møllers General Fund managed by Maersk.

famous Glyptotek! Copenhagen 🇩🇰

https://www.glyptoteket.com/?_ga=2.158364666.179997901.1654609730-1871390812.1654609730

This beautiful museum, founded in 1888, invites you to discover Northern Europe’s largest collection of Ancient Mediterranean art and visit the leading collection of French Impressionist paintings in Denmark.

The wonderful buildings are filled with atmosphere and every corner offers a new experience. The heart of the museum is the classic 1906 sub-tropical winter garden with tall palm trees, a fountain and a fish pool.

The museum was founded by the renowned brewing magnate Carl Jacobsen, who made Carlsberg beer known worldwide.

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/ny-carlsberg-glyptotek

Step inside and discover a beautiful building with high ceilings and a showstopping centrepiece winter garden full of palm trees surrounding a fountain and pond.

The gallery is divided into ancient and modern collections. The Department of Antiquities houses excellent collections of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman art, providing a delightful stroll through 3500 years of art and history. Stroll the hallways lined with marble statues and you can imagine yourself in Ancient Greece, Egypt or Rome. The Modern Department focuses on Danish painting and sculpture of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as French art of the same period. Enjoy paintings from Denmark's awe-inspiring Golden Age, and experience French Impressionism as well as more than 40 works by Gauguin (out on loan until spring 2020). It is also possible to see the complete series of Degas' bronzes and 35 sculptures by Rodin.

Copenhagen National Museum: Viking exhibits

My favourite Viking exhibits:

… back for a second time during a free museum day (Sunday) - just walking around and absorbing all the wonderful Viking history, artifacts and exhibitions.

I especially enjoyed the Greenland and American exhibits (since the Vikings landed on both).

… I am super excited about next navigation (already booked for the coming year):

🚢 from Newfoundland 🇨🇦 to Greenland 🇬🇱!

* last leg of my Viking travels, muchachos!