Copenhagen Museums

You could spend all your sightseeing time seeing the wonderful museums of Copenhagen alone. Here are a few of the most outstanding. The National Museum has wonderful collections from the time of the Vikings and other periods in Danish history. The Arsenal has a famous display of arms, armour and uniforms. At Rosenborg Palace you will enjoy seeing the regalia of the Danish kings. Or visit the Amalienborg Palace, which is actually four 18th-century French-style rococo mansions opening onto an enchanting square. This palace has been the home of the Danish royal family since 1794 and in 1994, some of the official and private rooms of the palace were opened to the public.

The rooms are reconstructed to reflect the period 1863 to 1894 . When the royal family is in residence it is a popular tourist sight to see the changing of the guard which takes place at noon. You can tell if they are in residence because a swallowtail flag flies on the mast when the queen is residing in Copenhagen, rather than in her North Zealand summer home, Fredensborg Palace. The Kunstindustrimuseet houses a fascinating collection of arts and crafts of Denmark and foreign countries from the Middle Ages to the present time.

The world-famous Museum of Musical Instruments is housed in three beautifully restored buildings from the 18th century in the central part of Copenhagen. Here you can see collections of European historical instruments, collections of traditional instruments from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and a library and archives. If you are lucky you may also catch a musical performance at the museum. The Thorvaldsen Museum contains the works, tomb and personal effects of Thorvaldsen, one of Denmark's greatest masters, the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). It is located in a beautiful building close to Christiansborg and Gammel Strand.

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek contains an antique collection and collections and exhibits from around the world, including a an Egyptian exhibit that is displayed to give the atmosphere of a real Egyptian tomb. The museum has something for all ages and is located in a beautiful building with a wonderful palm tree court and cafeteria. Specifically for children, go to the State Museum for Children (Staten Museum for Born) It is housed in a newly built addition to the Statens Museum for Kunst (the State's Art Museum) which has fine paintings from the Danish Renaissance. The Hirschsprung Collection of Danish art is also an interesting and representative exhibit. .