The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue) is a bronze statue on a rock at the water's edge along the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark. Sculptor Edvard Eriksen created it in 1913 on commission from the brewer Carl Jacobsen, who had been moved by a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. The figure sits on a boulder looking out over the harbour and is quite small, about 1.25 metres tall, which surprises many first-time visitors who expect a monumental statue. The statue has been decapitated and vandalised several times in its history but has always been restored, and it remains one of the most recognised symbols of Copenhagen and Denmark. The usual approach is a pleasant walk of about fifteen minutes from Østerport Station, passing through the grassy ramparts of Kastellet and along the Langelinie waterfront past the Gefion Fountain, and this route is more rewarding than going straight by bus. Visits to the statue itself are short, typically twenty to thirty minutes, since there is little else to do at the site beyond taking photographs. The best vantage point is from the stone steps at the water's edge, where visitors can photograph the mermaid with the harbour behind. The statue is free and open at all hours, but it draws tour coaches and cruise passengers, so the area becomes crowded from mid-morning to late afternoon, and the rocks can be congested with people posing. Early morning offers calm and better light, and an evening stroll in summer gives a golden glow over the water. Sea winds can be strong, so a jacket is advisable. Cafes and kiosks along Langelinie provide refreshments, and the walk can be extended to the Kastellet fortress and the Gefion Fountain.