QED > Copenhagen

About Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is located in the capital of Denmark. Copenhagen is the largest city in Scandinavia with a population of over 1.5 million. The city was officially founded in 1167 when Bishop Absalon ordered that a castle and a wall be put up around a small fishing village on the site where the Christiansborg Castle, home of the Danish Parliament, stands today. Absalon's foresight was excellent: The little village prospered and developed into the Danish København - ‘port of tradesmen'. As the name suggests, this early Copenhagen was a bustling port for trading vessels which came from all over the Baltic region. Today the new urban development of the Ørestad is part of a strategy to strengthen Denmark's links to the Øresund region, on both sides of the Sound.

Copenhagen is, however, much more than an ancient port. Today Copenhagen is the commercial, cultural and administrative centre of Denmark. Although busy and noisy as any large city, Copenhagen still captivates visitors because it has managed to maintain some of its original charm. Compared to many other cosmopolitan cities, it is also considered a very safe city. A stroll through the old city centre will reveal many things to the keen observer but above all a sense of being embraced by an easy well-being. Many pedestrian streets, beautiful squares and narrow lanes in the inner city invite one to wander about and enjoy the ambience. The canals, picturesque towers and old buildings can all be appreciated from numerous outdoor cafés and restaurants.

Copenhagen is home to some of the most interesting artistic and archaeological museums in Europe. It is also a city of festivals: theatre, modern dance and ballet, classical, rock and jazz music, and sports - the city attracts international performers and participants for festivals throughout the year. At the annual ‘Cultural Night' all the city's cultural institutions are host to an array of events during the night.

Getting around the inner city as well as the rest of Copenhagen is easy. Although there is an efficient public transport network of buses and trains, the most popular mode of transportation is the bike. You can buy or rent a bike or borrow a city-bike. There is a an extensive network of biking paths throughout Copenhagen. A bike provides the perfect viewpoint for sightseeing and is often the quickest way to get around the city.

The many parks as well as the waterfront allow for easy access to quiet spots away from the noise of city life. On weekends and during semester breaks students can explore the beautiful castles and country side around the island of Sjælland.