The Terror Bombardment of Copenhagen 1807

A guided city walk exploring the history and sites of the Battle of the Roads and Copenhagen's bombardments in 1801 and 1807. In 1801, Denmark was drawn into the Napoleonic Wars through the great powers' conflicts. England's fear of Denmark allying with France led to the Battle of the Roads just outside Copenhagen Harbour. We view the battle from the harbour and Kastellet, as the city's residents and cultural figures of the time did. This experience inspired both Grundtvig and Oehlenschlæger and sparked a national awakening in Denmark. We explore where Crown Prince Frederik and the famous Admiral Nelson were positioned, and hear stories of the mysterious white flag and "the King's Room" at Vestindisk Pakhus, as well as the heroes' struggle against overwhelming odds, especially Willemoes.

After the relatively fortunate outcome in 1801, catastrophe returned in 1807. This time the English landed and began a siege followed by the notorious terror bombardment of Copenhagen. We hear about those terrible days and the futile yet heroic defence of the city, symbolized by the famous sortie of the Royal Life Guards in Classens Have, which we visit on the tour around Østerbro. We also search for the small traces from 1807 still visible in the streetscape and see the impressive burial mound from the Battle of the Roads at Holmens Kirkegård. The English Wars forced Denmark to side with Napoleon, leading to Denmark's defeat, the loss of Norway, state bankruptcy, and a new status as a minor power without a fleet.

We start at Kastelskirken, Kastellet 50, and end at Holmens Kirkegård, Øster Farimagsgade 46, both in 2100 Copenhagen Ø. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/profi... or check the audio tours at https://go.storyhunt.io/tours/... and https://go.storyhunt.io/tours/...