Gammel Strand

Gammel Strand
Length	164 m (538 ft)
Location	Indre By,Copenhagen,Denmark
Postal code	1200
Nearest metro station	Gammel Strand
Coordinates	55°40′39″N12°34′41.16″E/ 55.67750°N 12.5781000°E

Gammel Strand(modernDanishfor "old beach"; originally meant "the old shoreline", i.e. prior to land reclamations) is a street andpublic squareincentral Copenhagen,Denmark.On the south side it borders on the narrowSlotsholmens Canalwhile the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century. Across the canal,Thorvaldsens MuseumandChristiansborg Palaceare seen on the islandSlotsholmen.

The art galleryKunstforeningenand theMinistry of Cultureare the most notable institutions facing the street.

History

Copenhagen's cradle

Gammel Strand used to be the site of anatural harbour,sheltered by a few small islets later to develop into Slotsholmen. It was around this harbour that Copenhagen was founded as a small fishing and trading settlement in the 11th century. However, archeological finds show that the beach at that time was located considerably further inland. The area was marshy and boats were merely pulled up on the beach. Laterland reclamationsmoved the coastline and a proper harbour developed.^[1]

The fish market

Later Gammel Strand became the site of a fish market, known for the women who would sit in the square at all seasons to sell their fish. It was also known as Skovserkoner (English: Skovser women) because they would buy their fish in the small fishing villageSkovshovednorth of Copenhagen and walk the long way to Gammel Strand to sell them in the market.^[1]They were recognized by their characteristic white scarves. In the end space became too scarce and in 1958 a new fish market opened inSouth Harbour.^[2]

Destroyed by fire

Most of the buildings along Gammel Strand were completedly destroyed in theCopenhagen Fire of 1795.It began in a coal and timber storage atGammelholm,and spread to the area aroundSt. Nicolas' Churchbefore moving along Gammel Strand to the area aroundGammeltorvandNytorv.In the following years the houses were rebuilt.

Buildings

Most of the houses have been rebuilt and extended with an extra story over the years and exhibit a multitude of different styles. In spite of this the overall impression is very harmonic, and Gammel Strand is now considered one of the most iconic urban spaces in Copenhagen.

The oldest house in the street is No. 48. Built in 1750 to the design ofPhilip de Lange,it survived the fire of 1795 without severe damage. In 1796 it was extended with an extra story. Today it houses the Kunstforeningen art gallery.