Osterbro - the city gate to the east
Osterbro in Copenhagen takes its name from the cobbled street running east from Osterport. For many people in Copenhagen, inner Osterbro has become synonymous with the city's 'classy neighbourhood'. This is where you'll find many of the city's foreign embassies and broad boulevards. A little further out in Osterbro you'll find Nordhavn and Svanemollen, where the building work and renovation of the harbour have injected new life into the district.
Langelinie and The Little Mermaid
On the border between old Copenhagen and Osterbro, a beautiful young maiden sits on a rock and bids sailors and other guests welcome to Copenhagen. The statue of The Little Mermaid depicts Hans Christian Andersen's tale of the same name and was bestowed as a gift to the city of Copenhagen by brewer Carl Jacobsen (son of the founder of Carlsberg breweries). The Little Mermaid has been sitting on her rock on Langelinie since 1913 but recently was on tour in China at the World Exhibition in 2010. The Little Mermaid has repeatedly suffered from vandalism, and in fact has lost its head a number of times. Every day she is visited by hundreds of tourists and the statue is one of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen.
The 5-star fortifications
The Citadel is located on the border between Copenhagen inner city and Osterbro, and is close to Langelinie and The Little Mermaid. The Citadel is one of the best preserved fortifications in Northern Europe. The Citadel was first constructed as part of Copenhagen's defences in 1624 and when seen from above it takes the shape of a pentagram. During the period of absolute monarchy in Denmark, the Citadel served as the city's prison amongst other things. But today, the old buildings are used by the Danish Defence. If you visit Kastellet in late April you'll be treated to the sight of many blossoming cherry trees.
Denmark's oldest residential neighbourhood and a variety of potatoes
In the middle of Osterbro's delicatessens and designer shops, you'll find what is believed to be the oldest residential neighbourhood in Denmark, Rosenvængets Alle. This neighbourhood was founded in 1857 and the buildings were designed by Denmark's greatest architects at the time.
Just opposite the National Gallery of Denmark, before you come to the Lakes, you'll find a number of small, narrow houses. The houses, originally built as working-class housing, are now some of the most desirable residences in Copenhagen. The houses, which are popularly known as 'Kartoffelrækkerne', are located in an area where, for the sake of Copenhagen's defence, construction was originally not permitted. So potatoes were cultivated here instead. The houses are built in straight rows, and gave the area its distinct name when they were finally built in the late 19th century.
Hotels close to Osterbro
Hotel Scandic Front is located not far from Osterbro. With its unique location and view of Copenhagen's harbour, Copenhagen Opera House and the Royal Danish Playhouse, our hotel is ideal if you want to explore Osterbro during your trip to Copenhagen.
