Kastellet

Kastellet is a star-shaped fortress at Kastellet 1 in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark, close to Østerport Station and the Langelinie waterfront. It was built in 1626 under Christian IV and rebuilt in its present form in the 1660s under Frederik III, and it is one of the best-preserved star fortresses in northern Europe. Five bastions, a moat and grassy ramparts surround a small interior of red-painted buildings, including barracks, a church, a windmill and a former prison. The complex is still used by the Danish military, and some buildings are closed to the public, but the ramparts and paths are open daily and free to walk. Visitors can circle the ramparts in a loop of about one kilometre, passing the windmill on the Bastion and the water-filled moat where ducks and swans gather. The inner area has quiet lanes lined with the military buildings and a memorial to Danish resistance fighters from the Second World War. The best vantage point is from the top of the ramparts, where the green earthworks form a clear star pattern and where there are views of the harbour and the Langelinie promenade. A typical visit lasts forty-five to sixty minutes. Kastellet is rarely crowded, even in high season, because most people pass through on their way to the Little Mermaid statue, which is about a ten-minute walk from the north gate. It is a favourite place for locals to jog, picnic and relax, and early morning and evening offer calm and warm light. The fortress works well as part of a walking route from Østerport Station through the ramparts to the Gefion Fountain, the Little Mermaid and the harbour front. Cafes and kiosks on Langelinie provide refreshments. The grass can be damp in winter, so shoes with grip are advisable.