This is part in the article series Streets and Squares that provide some interesting background information on street signs around the world. A fun way to learn about the history and culture of the cities you visit or even live in! This time we go to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The Danish name of the city, København, descends from the old Norse Kaupmannahofn, meaning merchants' harbor.
Some vocabulary to help you along the way: allé (avenue), bro (bridge), gade (street), plads (square)
DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD ALLÉ - Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961) was an economist, diplomat and the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. Born in Jönköping, Sweden-Norway.
DRONNING LOUISES BRO - Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1817-1898) Queen of Denmark by marriage to King Christian IX, born in the Imperial Confederate of Germany.
H. C. ANDERSENS BOULEVARD - Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) author, best remembered for his fairy tales. Born in Odense, Kingdom of Denmark-Norway.
KJELD LANGES GADE - Kjeld Lange (1620-1658) was a military commander during the Siege of Copenhagen, killed by a Swedish bullet.
OLFERT FISCHERS GADE - Olfert Fischer (1747-1829) was a navy officer who commanded the Dano-Norwegian fleet against British forces under Lord Nelson during the Danish defeat at Copenhagen on 2 April 1801. Born in Copenhagen.
SøREN KIERKEGAARDS PLADS - Sören Kierkegaard (1813-1855) philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He was born in Copenhagen.
A to Z FROM COPENHAGEN
i.e. a list of people born in Copenhagen. Just another fun way to know something more about the city. We pick a couple of people for each alphabet, if possible. The numbers you see at the end of each line indicate the year of birth. This list is updated from time to time. And last but not least: the flag of Copenhagen!
A - Pilou Asbæk* actor (1982)
B - Niels Bohr* physicist/N (1885)
D - Ferdinand Didrichsen* botanist/physicist (1814)
E - Giancarlo Esposito* American actor (1958)
F - Olfert Fischer* officer in the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy (1747)
G - Anton Glanzelius* Swedish actor/television producer (1974)
H - Paul Hansen* opera singer/actor (1886).
J - J. C. Jacobsen* founder of the Carlsberg brewery (1811)
K - Sören Kierkegaard* philosopher (1813)
L - Lars Lindgren* engineer/son of Astrid Lindgren (1926) - Kim Larsen* singer/ musician (1945)
M - Mads Michelsen* actor (1965)
N - Brigitte Nielsen* actress (1963)
O - Adam Oehlenschläger* poet/playwright (1779)
P - Vilhelm Petersen* landscape painter (1812)
Q - Queen Margrethe II* of Denmark (1940)
S - Morten Suurballe* actor (1955)
T - Caroline Testman* women’s rights activist (1839)
U - Jørn Utzon* architect/designer of Sydney Opera House (1918)
W - Alexandre Willaume* actor (1972)
Updated 28.3.2023