The Fortification of Copenhagen, Kastellet

Kastellet in Copenhagen is one of Northern Europe’s best preserved fortifications. It is a wonderful place for a stroll on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

An Entertaining Stroll In The Citadel

I’m standing on top of the Citadel’s ramparts looking over the harbour while swallows fly closely by. I am sure the birds benefit from the steep ramparts one way or another.

Particularly two traditions link the Citadel to the public holiday, Stor Bededag and the night before.

Best known is the custom of eating warm wheat buns on Stor Bededags evening. The reason is that not even the bakers were supposed to work from sundown the night before Stor Bededag and throughout the following day.
Therefore very large wheat buns were baked the day before which people could take home to heat and eat the next day.

However, the wheat buns were eaten the same night – while they were still warm and crisp.
Today it is possible to buy the wheat buns all over when Stor Bededag is approaching.

The second tradition normally associated with Stor Bededag, was the habit of Copenhagen’s bourgeoisie walking on the ramparts on the evening of Stor Bededag. The custom can be traced back to the 1700s and is said to be caused by the melodious chimes of Our Lady Church’s carillon, which lured people of Copenhagen out on a stroll to enjoy the newly sprouted, spring green linden and chestnut trees.

The carillon was set up in 1747 and destroyed by the British bombardment in 1807 the church’s spire was hit and crashed into the main building, which burned completely.

It seems that the tradition once again is popular among people from Copenhagen and every day might work

Notes
Useful information on this site: Copenhagenet.dk
Kastellet
Kastellet, Copenhagen, Wikipedia

Forårsmønstring på Kastellet og i Nyhavn

Vi var på vej til Vestamager, men på vej mod Langelinie blev vores opmærksomhed fanget af noget gammelt og farvestrålende. Vi blev enige om at improvisere, og lægge vejen forbi Kastellet.

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Morgan og Lotus Super Seven har altid været været mine favoritter. Morgan, fordi det er en rå og elegant klassiker, og Lotus Super Seven, fordi den overrasker. Den ligner næsten en sæbekassebil, men den er ekstrem hurtig, alderen taget i betragtning.

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Der var en glad og hyggelig stemning til forårsmønstringen på Kastellet. Stor interesse, og fint vejr ovenikøbet.

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Vi var tæt på Nyhavn, og der er aldrig kedeligt en forårdag, hvor vejret er godt.
Anna Møller fra Svendborg blev opvartet af flittige gaster.

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Det var en utrolig god oplevelse med mange fine indtryk fra København, når der er bedst.