Copenhagen, the home of Sweyn Forkbeard, fabled storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, current ruler Queen Margrethe II and triathlon heroes Torbjorn Sindballe (retired) and Rasmus Henning (Ironman Hawaii contender), is one of Europe's most historic, charming and vibrantly modern cities. Sunday it will be the site of Challenge Copenhagen, one of the rarest of Ironman-distance venues, a triathlon racing past royal palaces, ancient cathedrals, and great examples of daring modern architecture, weaving past one of Europe's most fascinating mix of canals, cafes and elegant parks.
Once his plane landed, Slowtwitch correspondent Timothy Carlson hit the streets with his cameras and 24 hours later produced this photo gallery. The shame, he says, was the limit of 20 pictures. So what about the street artists, the children balancing on wooden wheels in the Tivoli, the pan flute player in the city square, the stirring Museum of the Danish World War 2 resistance, the ancient Portal of Helligansdskirken, the 5-foot-tall woman posing next to the 8-and-a-half foot tall statue of the world's tallest man outside the Guinness Museum? Not to forget the famous Little Mermaid statue currently on loan to a world exposition in China?
You'll have to travel to magical Copenhagen yourself one day.
All images © Timothy Carlson
The Nyhavn (New Harbor), a 300-meter long canal dug by soldiers in 1671-3, was once a seedy red light district and Hans Christian Anderson once lived in the area. Today it's housing is brightly painted, it's all cleaned up and home to trendy bars and cafes, and a magnet for yachts, sightseeing boats and tourists.
Copenhagen was founded in 1167 and today stands as one of Europe's most sophisticated and prosperous cities. Here is the view from the 115-foot tall Round Tower, built in 1642 as one of Europe's first observatories.
This the head of this statue of a hero of yesteryear serves as a nice perch for a bird.
One of Copenhagen's modern design centers set along a canal.
Soldier from the the Royal Life Guards Regiment dressed in their traditional blue uniform stand guard outside Amalienborg Palace, home of the Queen of Denmark and the Royal family.
Copenhagen's bicycle-powered version of rickshaws are a popular way to see the city.
Copenhagen, the ecologically friendly, healthy city is filled with well-used bike paths.
A beautiful woman sits at a café in the city center.
Two men play chess on a city bench.
A modern warship of the Royal Danish Navy shares the harbor with an elegantly restored clipper.
A statue of fabled Danish storyteller Hans Christian Anderson near the Radhiuspladsen -the city's main square.
A couple dine inside a trendy downtown restaurant.
Inside the famous baroque Marmorkirken (Marble Church), also known as the Fredikskirken, begun in 1749 and finished a century later, It stands just west of the Amalienborg royal palaces.
A street juggler precarioulsy perched on a unicycle wows the crowds.
A street lamp and a striking statue of Mercury seemingly leaping from a city rooftop.
The Rundetarn -- its route to the top is a 208-meter long paved circular ramp that curls around 7 and one half times. It also serves as the venue for a challenging annual bicycle race.
A statue of a golden bicyclist symbolizes Copenhagen's love of two wheel human powered travel.
A classic thrill ride at Copenhagen's famed Tivoli Gardens.
The Moorish Nimb restaurant at Tivoli Gardens lights up the night.
A classical ballet performance at the Pantomime Theater at Tivoli Gardens.
