Slotsholmen

Where the city began

Word to the wise: This "palace island" is separated by canal from the rest of Copenhagen. There are numerous bridges on which to cross.
Slotsholmen, right in the heart of Copenhagen, is a little island with a long and weighty history. It was here the city was born in 1167, when Bishop Absalon established a castle (a ‘slot’) on the orders of the King, and it has remained the base of power in Denmark ever since. The site of the original castle is now occupied by the austere bulk of Christiansborg Palace, seat of the Parliament, and surrounded by a dense concentration of historic buildings housing official institutions.

Many of the buildings can be visited, but even if you don’t have a keen interest in Danish politics, the island is well worth a morning of your time. Copenhagen’s social and cultural history is also represented here, with a host of excellent small museums ranging from the Danish Jewish Museum to the Royal Library, and there are several lovely parks.