Frederiksstad and the walk to the Kastel and the Little Mermaid are probably my favourite parts of Copenhagen, so, since my first visit to the city, I always try to take a walk in this neighbourhood when I am here (the last one in August 2021). Apparently, little has changed over time, maybe only the Amaliehave, the small park on the harbour, has been refurbished a little, but it could have been only my impression. The atmosphere is calm and noble, distant from the bustling Nyhavn, the promenade along the banks northwards to the Nordre Toldbod has probably the best sights of Copenhagen, overlooking architectural masterpieces like the opera house and the harbour that widens into the sea, with distant islets and the occasional docked galleons, even warships on the other side (Elefanten). It all feels relaxed, especially in a long summer evening, and the Amalienborg proper immutable in its characteristic octagonal symmetry.

The official "documentation" does not say much apart from the obvious. However, the original planning of this district is very well readable still today, and it has kept much of its authenticity; I am fascinated by it even if I am no fan of Neoclassicism, especially not of the rather pedantic kind like is found here, and consider the Marmorkirke the remarkable crowning of the complex indeed, although I prefer turning my attention towards the waterside. I have not yet entered any of the royal palaces, and I sincerely do not regret it, as I do not expect any lavish interiors to add more value to this site: the focus is on the urban landscape.

Amalienborg has been sitting on the tentative list for a long time, to be precise: more than 28 years. It will probably stay there some more before being retired, as I line up with other members that there is nothing truly worldwide outstanding, as beautiful as it may be: such urban plans are not so uncommon, the architecture (at least to me) is not really exceptional, the royal ties are not decisive, in that, as Kyle Magnuson notes, in Denmark there are other more historically and aesthetically relevant sites in this sense (I immediately think of Frederiksborg in Hillerød). A must see in Copenhagen, but not worthy of inscription in my opinion: I see its position here only as a token to the prestige of the capital, of which Amalienborg is one of the hearts. At the same time, I also think that Copenhagen is a very intricate city, not always easy to like (I am not sure if I really do), but a very interesting patchwork of sometimes colliding and contrasting pieces, in a scenic position: to appreciate this, I can highly recommend a visit to the new (2020) Københavns museum. I mean, for example, where else do you find something like the amusement park Tivoli in the midst of a modern metropolis (entrance also included in the Copenhagen card, go there!)?! Working on these aspects, I, too, agree that Copenhagen might advance some kind of candidature, even if I suspect it would be a hard one at any rate.

 

Photo: Ionic entrance to Amalienborg from the southern branch of Amaliegade.