The Citadel

In 1626 King Christian IV built Skt. Annæ Skanse just behind Langelinie to fortify his defences to the north of the city.

Later King Frederik III felt further fortifications were needed and commissioned experts to construct Kastellet (or the Citadel of Frederikshavn).

Most of the original structure has been preserved including the guardhouses and two large gateways to the north and south, respctively. Other buildings have been added over the years, for instance,Castel church, windmill and the commandant´s residence.

The Citadell remains a military area, although now peaceful and a city landmark.

The Gefion Fountain

One of Copenhagen´s most imposing monuments, The Gefion Fountain, sculpted by Anders Bundgård and inaugurated in 1908, stands where Langelinie meets the Citadel.

The fountain illustrates the myth of how New Zealand came to be. King Gylfe of Sweden, so it goes promissed the goddess Gefion as much Swedish land as she could plough in one day and one night. Gefion transformed her four sons into oxen and harnessed them to a plough. In the course of a day and a night they ploughed and then bore their load of earth out into the straits, depositing it to become Zealand. In Sweden a large hole remained, now Lake Väneren.