Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
elled after those in Holland. Equally reminiscent of free-minded Amsterdam is the area's
most famous attraction, the alternative, pot-scented neighbourhood of Christiania.
Christiania
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Escape the capitalist crunch at Freetown Christiania, a dreadlocks-heavy commune strad-
dling the eastern side of Christianshavn. Since its establishment by squatters in 1971, the
area has drawn nonconformists from across the globe, attracted by the concept of collect-
ive business, workshops, and communal living. Explore beyond the settlement's infamous
'Pusher St' - lined with shady hash and marijuana dealers - and you'll stumble upon a
semi-bucolic wonderland of whimsical DIY homes, cosy gardens, and a handful of craft
shops, eateries, beer gardens and music venues.
Before its development as an alternative enclave, the site was an abandoned 41-hectare
military camp. When squatters took over, police tried to clear the area. They failed. The
hippie revolution was at its peak and wave after wave of alternative folk continued to pour
in.
Bowing to public pressure, the government allowed the community to continue as a so-
cial experiment. Self-governing, ecology-oriented and generally tolerant, Christiania resid-
ents did, in time, find it necessary to modify their 'anything goes' approach. A new policy
was established that outlawed hard drugs, and the heroin and cocaine pushers were ex-
pelled.
The main entrance into Christiania is on Prinsessegade, 200m northeast of its intersec-
tion with Bådsmandsstræde. From late June to the end of August, 60- to 90-minute guided
tours (Dkr40) of Christiania run daily at 3pm (weekends only September to late June).
Tours commence just inside Christiania's main entrance on Prinsessegade.
Vor Frelsers Kirke
CHURCH
Dkr40/10; 11am-3.30pm, closed during services, tower 10am-7.15pm Mon-Sat, 10.30am-7.15pm Sun
Jun-Sep, reduced hrs rest of yr; 9A, 2A, 40, 350S, Christianshavn)
It's hard to miss this 17th-century church and its 95m-high spiral tower. For a soul-stirring
panoramic city view, make the head-spinning 400-step ascent to the top - the last 150
steps run along the outside rim of the tower, narrowing to the point where they literally
