Frederiksholms Canal
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Frederiksholms Kanal is a canal in central
Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
,
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
, which runs along the south-west side of
Slotsholmen Slotsholmen (English language, English: The Castle Islet) is an island in the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark, and part of Copenhagen Indre By, Inner City. The name is taken from the successive castles and palaces located on the island since Absal ...
, together with Slotsholmskanalen separating the island from
Zealand Zealand ( ) is the largest and most populous islands of Denmark, island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size) at 7,031 km2 (2715 sq. mi.). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 Januar ...
. The name also applies to the continuation of Rådhusstræde which follows the canal for most of its course, first on its south side and for the last stretch, from Prinsens Bro and to the waterfront, on both sides of the canal. Several historic buildings face the canal, ranging in size from Prince's Mansion, now housing
National Museum A national museum can be a museum maintained and funded by a national government. In many countries it denotes a museum run by the central government, while other museums are run by regional or local governments. In the United States, most nati ...
, and
Christiansborg Christiansborg Palace (, ) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament (), the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Also, ...
's riding grounds to the diminutive Stable Boy's House, part of
Civiletatens Materialgård Civiletatens Materialgård is a former storage facility at Frederiksholms Kanal, Frederiksholm Canal in Copenhagen, Denmark. The complex was used for the storing of materials used for the royal palaces but also has a long history as home and work ...
, a former storage facility now used by the
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts () has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark. History The Royal Danish Academy of Portraiture, Sculpture, and Architecture in Cope ...
's School of Sculpture.


History

The canal traces its history back to the extension of Copenhagen's West Rampart following the Assault on Copenhagen in 1659 which had taken place there. To better protect Slotsholmen, at that time home both to the royal palace and the fleet, the West Rampart was extended well into the sea. The shallow-watered area between the extended rampart and Slotsholmen was filled to form a district which was given the name Frederiksholm. Frederiksholms Kanal was dug out in 1681. Part of the new Frederiksholm area was used for the storage of building materials which were used in the construction work, both military and civilian, which was constantly ongoing in the expanding city. Many materials arrived by ship and the location next to the canal where they could moor was therefore convenient. There was also a sandpit where
dredger Dredging is the excavation of material from a water environment. Possible reasons for dredging include improving existing water features; reshaping land and water features to alter drainage, navigability, and commercial use; constructing dam ...
deposited sand used for constructions around the city.


Notable buildings and residents


The two storage facilities

The military storage facility
Fæstningens Materialgård Fæstningens Materialgård is a former military storage facility at 30 Frederiksholms Kanal in Copenhagen, Denmark. Arranged around a central courtyard, the individual buildings have been built to a homogeneous design, all with yellow-washed facad ...
was established shortly after Frederiksholms Kanal had been dug but none of the original buildings exist today. The buildings remaining today are arranged around a central courtyard. The oldest of them is the Storage Keeper's House from 1740. The military storage facility was joined by
Civiletatens Materialgård Civiletatens Materialgård is a former storage facility at Frederiksholms Kanal, Frederiksholm Canal in Copenhagen, Denmark. The complex was used for the storing of materials used for the royal palaces but also has a long history as home and work ...
in 1771, a civilian storage facility, consisting of a small cluster of yellow-washed buildings.


Royal Horse Guards Barracks

in 1792 followed the Royal Horse Guards Barracks. They were built on a strip of land formerly part of
Civiletatens Materialgård Civiletatens Materialgård is a former storage facility at Frederiksholms Kanal, Frederiksholm Canal in Copenhagen, Denmark. The complex was used for the storing of materials used for the royal palaces but also has a long history as home and work ...
. The barracks were hit by a fire in 1798 but rebuilt and after the
Royal Horse Guards The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, also known as the Blues, or abbreviated as RHG, was one of the cavalry regiments of the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry. In 1969, it was amalgamated with the 1st The Royal Dragoons to form the ...
were disbanded and served as Artillery Barracks.


Town houses

Further inland, the Frederiksholm area was built over with residential buildings. The most prominent of these is Prince's Mansion, originally built in 1681 but expanded and adapted for use as a residence for two consecutive crown princes in the middle of the 18th century.
Barchmann Mansion Barchmann Mansion () is a Baroque style town mansion overlooking Frederiksholm Canal in central Copenhagen, Denmark. Built in the early 1740s to designs by Philip de Lange, it is also known as the Wedell Mansion (Danish: ''Wedells Palæ'') after t ...
was built in 1741 and originally rented out to foreign diplomats.


Slotsholmen-side buildings

A few buildings on the Slotsholmen side of the canal also addressed on Frederiksholms Kanal, including
Staldmestergården Staldmestergården (English language, English: Stable Master's House) is a historic building overlooking Frederiksholms Kanal, Frederiksholm Canal on Slotsholmen, between Christiansborg Palace, Christiansborg Rising Grounds and Christian IV's Bre ...
and the small Faroese Warehouse. The latter was originally located on the other side of the canal but moved to the current location when the King's Brewery, until then based in its current neighbour, the building now known as
Christian IV's Brewhouse Christian IV's Brewhouse (Danish: Christian IV's Bryghus) is a building in Copenhagen, Denmark, dating from 1608. In spite of the name under which it is known today, the building was not originally built for the purpose of brewing beer. It is lo ...
, moved across the canal to minimize fire hazards. The new brewhouse was demolished in 1976 and the site, known as the Brewhouse Site, has remained undeveloped since then. It was acquired by the Realdania foundation in 2005 and a mixed-use building designed by
Rem Koolhass Rem or REM may refer to: Music * R.E.M., an American rock band * ''R.E.M.'' (EP), by the band Green * "R.E.M." (song), by Ariana Grande Science and technology * Rapid eye movement sleep, a phase of sleep * Roentgen equivalent man (rem), a unit ...
is expected to go under construction in 2013. The building will house
Danish Architecture Centre Danish Architecture Center ( Danish: Dansk Arkitektur Center), (DAC), is Denmark’s national center for the development and dissemination of knowledge about architecture, building and urban development. DAC’s objective and legitimacy consist i ...
, now based in Gammel Dok on the other side of the harbour, as well as offices and dwellings.


Bridges

Frederiksholms Kanal is spanned by four bridges, including Storm Bridge which separates it from Slotsholmens Kanal. The latter is named for the storming of the city in 1659 which led to the construction of the canal. A double arch bridge built in stone and connecting Zealand-side
Stormgade Stormgade ( lit. "Storm Street") is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Frederiksholm Canal to H. C. Andersens Boulevard where it turns into Tietgensgade before continuing along the rear side of Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen C ...
to Vindebrogade on Slotsholmen, the current bridge was constructed in 1914 to a design by
Martin Nyrop Martin Nyrop (11 November 1849 18 May 1921) was a Danish architect. Early life and education Nyrop was born on 11 November 1849 at Holmsland Municipality, Holmsland, Ringkøbing, the son of parish priest Christopher Nyrop (1805–1879) and Helen ...
from 1898. The most notable bridge crossing the canal is Marble Bridge which provides access to Christiansborg riding grounds. The old main entrance and one of few surviving features of the first Christiansborg Palace which burned in 1794, the bridge was constructed from 1739 to 1745 with
Nicolai Eigtved Nicolai Eigtved (4 June 1701 – 7 June 1754), also known as Niels Eigtved, was a Denmark, Danish architect. He introduced and was the leading proponent of the French rococo or late baroque style in Danish architecture during the 1730s–1740s. ...
as principal architect. Prinsens Bro (''Prince's Bridge''), also known as Tøjhusbroen (''Arsenal Bridge'') after
Christian IV's Arsenal Christian IV's Arsenal (Danish language, Danish: Christian IV's Tøjhus), is a historic building on Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built by Christian IV of Denmark in 1604 as part of a grand scheme for the construction of a new ...
on Slotsholmen, connects Ny Kongensgade to Tøjhusgade. The first bridge at the site was constructed in 1682 but the present one dates from the 20th century. Bryghusbroen (''Brewhouse Bridge'') spans the mouth of the bridge, between Christian IV's Brewhouse and the Brewhouse Site. It is a
bascule bridge A bascule bridge (also referred to as a drawbridge or a lifting bridge) is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- o ...
built in 1935 and originally also carried railway tracks for the harbour rail line but they were removed in 1972. It received its current name in 1963.


Ships

The canal is home to a couple of large
house boat A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily for regular dwelling. Most houseboats are not motorized, as they are usually moored or kept stationary, fixed at a Berth (moorings), berth, and often tethered to ...
s. The most distinctive of these is Lightvessel No. XI, originally built in 1878 and later altered several times before it was decommissioned and sold in 1977, after 99 years of service at various positions. The buyer was artist and designer Bo Bofils who adapted it for use as a house boat and moved it to its current location. A sister ship, Lightvessel No. XVII ''Gedser Rev'', is owned by the
National Museum A national museum can be a museum maintained and funded by a national government. In many countries it denotes a museum run by the central government, while other museums are run by regional or local governments. In the United States, most nati ...
and is based in
Nyhavn Nyhavn (; New Haven) is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the Inner Harbour just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early ...
where it serves as a
museum ship A museum ship, also called a memorial ship, is a ship that has been preserved and converted into a museum open to the public for educational or memorial purposes. Some are also used for training and recruitment purposes, mostly for the small numb ...
.


References


External links


Frederiksholms Kanal
on indenforvoldene.dk {{Indre By Copenhagen Canals in Copenhagen Streets in Copenhagen Canals opened in the 17th century Buildings and structures completed in 1681 Transport infrastructure completed in the 1680s 1681 establishments in Denmark