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Kitty's Corner

The Great Wall of Copenhagen

Sunday, 8. February 2009, 07:36:26

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Once upon a time, many years ago, Copenhagen was surrounded by a wall. It was there to keep enemies out, and to control who got into the city.

It was Bishop Absalon who had the wall built back in year 1167-1171. The Wends attacked the city in 1259; they were lead by prince Jaromar. His warriors robbed, raped and set the city on fire. They even destroyed Absalon's castle.

Here is a little piece of ruin of Copenhagen city wall, it is called Jarmer's Tower, and it is situated on Jarmer's Square (Jarmers Plads) - yes - the square is named after the prince who lead the attack on the city.


Right in front of the bit of wall, there is a statue by an artist by the name of Auguste-Nicolas Cain. The statue is of a lion and a lionesse who fight over a wild hog. The statue was originally placed in a park, but the city needed the space, so now it's basically placed in the middle of a pavement. :rolleyes:
I know that Copenhagen have asked their citizens for suggestions of a better place for the statue, but as far as I know nobody has come up with a better location for the lions.

Rules for catsTwilight

Comments

night wolf 8. February 2009, 08:11

Amazing statue :up: I love lions :smile:

ThanX for the Copenhagen info
:sst: TOPH !!

Kitty 8. February 2009, 08:19

:lol: You were the first to comment on the post. :up:

I like the statue as well. :happy:

night wolf 8. February 2009, 08:24

:up:

Darko 8. February 2009, 08:41

Another nice part of the history. According to Wikipedia, Wends (Venedi or Vandals also) were Slav tribes that came to shores of south Baltic sea during great movement that happened in 6th century.
Soooo..... once we (a Slavs) destroyed capital of Catfiania and if there were time, we would destroy a capital of Furtopia as well :whistle:

Kitty 8. February 2009, 08:47

It's not that you took over the city, Darko... :rolleyes:
Catfiania still stands, stronger than ever. So, don't push your luck! :wink:

Mit 8. February 2009, 09:23

I like your pics, Zap. I see 1878 on the lions statue, is that the year it was made?

Darko 8. February 2009, 10:50

But we destroyed it anyway, took what we wanted and left. There are only ruins that remained there :whistle:

Kitty 8. February 2009, 10:53

@ Mit ~ Thank you. Yes, that was when the statue was made. It's a nice statue, right? :smile:

@ Darko ~ We kept the ruins in order to remind us about never letting that happen again! :wink:

Moesring 8. February 2009, 11:34

I can't believe that no one has suggested that the statue goes in the lion enclosure in Copenhagen Zoo. :rolleyes:
:left:

In any case, here is my suggestion [Image | Google Earth location]. :up:
Conveniently, there is already a clear space there. :yes::left:

:sst: Until finding København on Google Earth, I never realised the capital was actually on an island off the main peninsula. I also never realised that it is the second Most Liveable City in the World. Homer: Doh!

As wonderful as the statue is, what exactly is its significance? How do the lions relate to Copenhagen and/or Denmark? I'm presuming there was a reason the sculptor chose lions. :confused:

Slightly askew of the main topic but how would you translate the word "hygge"? I was reading an article about Copenhagen and it said that there is no direct translation. awww

The Dark Furie 8. February 2009, 11:56

I wonder what would cause a once proud city to take down it's defences. Almost as if someone had agents installed in top government positions. :left:

Cois 8. February 2009, 12:10

Furie Homer: Doh!

Angeliki 8. February 2009, 12:31

a very informative post Zaphira,
no wonder you have a soft spot for cats and their relatives :smile:
thanks for sharing :yes:


*note to self: "learn more about it"...search is in order p: *


Kitty 8. February 2009, 12:43

@ Moe ~ They have thought about the Zoo, but since the statue was a gift to the Copenhagen municipality from a fund, they didn't think it is right to lend it out to a private compagny for a longer period of time.
I don't know the significance. I have been looking many places to find the story behind the statue, but it seems there isn't any.

Hygge is a very difficult word to translate. Cosy, or comfort are words that come close to what it means, I think. We love to "hygge" in Denmark. :D


No further comments: P:

Kitty 8. February 2009, 12:44

Thank you, Angeliki. You've spotted my soft spot indeed. :yes:

I am glad you liked. :up:

r♡se 8. February 2009, 12:45

Interesting :up: I had no idea Copenhagen was attacked.
Is the statue and remains of the wall in the city centre somewhere?

Kitty 8. February 2009, 12:50

The statue was very near the hotel you stayed in last time you were here, Rose. :up:
Right between Vesterport and Nørreport. :smile:

r♡se 8. February 2009, 13:01

Really? I like when you can find a sniff of history in the city :yes:
Maybe next time you can show me :wink:.

Mit 8. February 2009, 13:12

Yes, it's a beautiful statue :smile: Thank you.

Kitty 8. February 2009, 16:15

@ Rose ~ I'll gladly show you. We can take a walk around the lakes as well! :up:

@ Mit ~ You're welcome, always. :heart:

Marike 8. February 2009, 17:05

that a great statue :up: , I wish I visited Europe when I lived in England... I never went and I really regret not seeing all the beautiful cities :frown:

r♡se 8. February 2009, 17:06

That sounds nice. :D

Kitty 8. February 2009, 17:07

I'd love to travel more as well, there are so many interesting places to see, so much to experience. But hey, you can't go everywhere.
For how long did you live in England?

Marike 8. February 2009, 17:18

So true.. if I could I'll travel the whole world! I stayed there for 4 years and Natalie was born there. London is a great city, we always had something to do or see.

Kitty 8. February 2009, 17:35

I've only been to London once, for a week, and I sure saw something every single day! :yes:

Darko 8. February 2009, 19:18

I`ve never invaded visited London awww

Carol 9. February 2009, 03:57

I like this post. :smile:
Great photos.

Kitty 9. February 2009, 05:08

@ Darko ~ Rule Number one: Take the Capital first! :wink:

@ Carol ~ Thank you very much. :smile: I think it's funny that there are such little historical things in the middle of the city.

Carol 9. February 2009, 08:46

You are welcome. :smile:
It is an odd place, I guess.

The Dark Furie 9. February 2009, 11:40

If that's rule number one, why were you bloody vikings all the way down in Devon?

Kitty 9. February 2009, 12:54

Bad sense of directions...? :left:

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