It was Valentine’s Day in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Engaged couple Emma and Mark were strolling the Old Sailor’s Quarter after disembarking from a harbor tour boat. Copenhagen became affluent by trade and the 17th Century buildings that survived the 1795 fire still look impressive among the newer, copper, roofs.
The history of Copenhagen began with the first settlement in the 11th Century. The city was fortified with stone walls during the 13th Century and all had to enter the city through one of those four walls or by the harbour.
Herring fishing contributed to the City’s growth and into an important trading centre. It was in 1254 that it received its charter as a city under Bishop Jakob Erlandsen. By the 1800s, Copenhagen had 100,000 residents.
Emma and Mark chose open faced sandwiches with cheese on rye and with smoked herring as they sat by the water to enjoy their lunch. They had spent the week touring Denmark and this would be their last day to see the city museums, library and the King’s Garden.
King Christian IV lived from 1588-1648 and the warrior king had two wives and three mistresses and sired 25 children. A lusty one! He ruled Denmark. After his coronation in 1596 he expanded Copenhagen with additions of city districts and modern fortification with earthworks and bastions. The king had commissioned German and Dutch architects and craftsmen to construct magnificent edifices designed to enhance his prestige.
The couple walked to see the “Little Mermaid” statue based on the Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale giving a testament to love. The area was crowded so they rented bicycles to transport them back to their Scandic Palace Hotel. When they were ready to take the train back to London, the Radhuspladsen Train Station was one minute walk away from their hotel.
Because it was Valentine’s Day, Mark bought a dozen red roses and some Danish chocolates for his intended. He had made his own Valentine card for her and she loved it! Emma had gifts of canned herring and a set of knives for him.
Strolling musicians could be heard from their open window and they took a short rest before going out again to visit the National Museum and the Tivoli Gardens area with its amusements and sidewalk cafes. As the sun began to set, they knew they had a lifetime of memories to make and they would do so together.
Happy Valentine’s day to you. May it be a day of refreshing, everlasting, enhancing, and enriching love.