The most wonderful fairy tale
by Siân McGuinness
'To travel is to live.'
Words once written by Copenhagen’s most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen.
The well-storied writer is perhaps best known for his fantastical fairy tales which, although written in the 19th century, remain well loved across the world today—and many of which take inspiration from this glorious city which he called home.
The Little Mermaid statue, Copenhagen
The magic of Copenhagen enthused Andersen to write many of his still-cherished stories. The city’s influence surely plays a large part in why the writer’s fairy tales continue to captivate young and old alike today, as Copenhagen once captivated him.
It’s easy to spend time in present-day Copenhagen and happen across views that Andersen would have seen in his own lifetime.
One of the city’s most famous (and most photographed) locations is Nyhavn Harbour. The picturesque waterfront sports a number of brightly-coloured townhouses, some dating back to the 17th century, and some of which played home to the writer. While the harbour has undoubtedly become more cosmopolitan since the days of Andersen, now sporting bars and restaurants and welcoming more revellers than fishermen, it’s easy to imagine what the author might have seen from his windows each day as he crafted his stories.
Nyhavn Harbour, Copenhagen
It’s easy to spend time in present-day Copenhagen and happen across views that Andersen would have seen in his own lifetime.
One of the city’s most famous (and most photographed) locations is Nyhavn Harbour. The picturesque waterfront sports a number of brightly-coloured townhouses, some dating back to the 17th century, and some of which played home to the writer. While the harbour has undoubtedly become more cosmopolitan since the days of Andersen, now sporting bars and restaurants and welcoming more revellers than fishermen, it’s easy to imagine what the author might have seen from his windows each day as he crafted his stories.
One of Andersen’s favourite spots to spend time in the Danish capital was the famous Tivoli Gardens
Although the amusement park was a new addition to the city when he began visiting. Thrilled by Tivoli’s Chinese-style gardens, Andersen was prompted to write what is considered one of his best works, The Nightingale, a story surrounding a Chinese emperor.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
H. C. Andersen was also heavily inspired by the castles and palaces of Copenhagen and its surrounding areas.
It was within the walls of Gråsten Palace, during a visit with the ducal family, that he wrote The Little Match Girl in just a day based on only a few drawings he had been provided.
Andersen also took insight from legends, particularly with his tale of Ogier the Dane, based on a mythical warrior featured in many Old French poems. Thanks to Andersen’s retelling of Ogier’s trials, a statue of the Danish hero was cast in bronze in 1898 and resides in the cellars of Kronborg Castle.
Statue of Hans Christian Anderson, Copenhagen Town Hall
Visiting Copenhagen today, there are many ways to immerse yourself in the stories of Hans Christian Andersen.
Whether that’s by walking in the author’s footsteps or by visiting the monuments which have since been created to honour his works (we of course can’t talk Copenhagen without mentioning the infamous ‘The Little Mermaid’ statue).
What’s clear to all who visit this capital, though, is that Copenhagen itself is the true fairy tale.
