Monday, September 25, 2023: Copenhagen
We had spent 2 weeks in Copenhagen in 2017 and explored all the tourist highlights plus other amazing locations frequented by locals. Today, we are heading to Dragøer, one of the oldest fishing villages in Denmark. This Baltic village was identified as being so scenic that it had to preserved. Thankfully, historic preservation began in 1934 and Dragøer became Denmark’s first pedestrian-only town.
The narrow cobblestone streets, ochre colored houses many with thatched roofs and Baltic Sea views made this a memorable experience. Our guide pointed out a small boat, the Elisabeth Dragør, one of the many vessels taking Jews to Sweden in order to save them from deportation. Around 7,200 were saved with only a small number unable to escape. We had learned about the massive overnight rescue operation when we visited the tiny Jewish Museum in Copenhagen in 2017. The Jewish people that had been deported numbered in the few hundreds and had been taken to Terazin. It was extraordinarily special to see one of the boats that was involved in this rescue!
Back to the present, it was a bit strange looking over at the modern day Øresund Bridge from our historic location. The bridge connects Denmark and Sweden, traveling 5 miles over the Øresund strait before ending in the 2.5 mile Drøgden Tunnel. What an engineering marvel! We stopped for a “danish” (oh, so that’s where the word comes from!) and coffee at a local restaurant, then wandered down “Main Street” checking out the small shops and architecture. This is really more of a resort area and boasts a small beach. It is the end of the tourist season so most shops were for the locals: clothing stores, hardware, wine shops and only a few open restaurants. Apparently alcohol is significantly less expensive here so much of the foot traffic is attributed to visitors from Sweden and Norway, stocking up on “cheer”!
Back on the bus and heading to the port, our bus detoured through Copenhagen’s old city for a more scenic drive. Many of the places were familiar to us so it was a real treat to see them once again. A quick stop at the Gefion Fountain for a photo op allowed us to stretch our legs before reaching the port.
Our guide shared the story of Gefion, the Norse goddess of agriculture, who used her 4 oxen sons to create the land known as Zealand. Overall, a fantastic tour mixing old and new.
