Copenhagen
Nyhavn is the canal of colourful houses, between Kongens Nytorv and Copenhagen's harbour. It was dug in the 1600s and is one of the oldest harbours in the city.
A harbour for the royal square
King Christian V wanted to enlarge the city. In 1671 he had a canal dug from the sea to the new royal square. In 1673 the canal was filled with water.
Ships arrived from far away and moored right in the centre. Workshops, craft studios and inns sprang up along the two quays.
The colourful houses
The most famous houses are on the north side. They are three to five storeys high, narrow and painted in bright colours.
On the south side stands the large Charlottenborg Palace, which faces the square, though. Today the houses of Nyhavn are protected: they cannot be changed at will.
Andersen in Nyhavn
The writer Hans Christian Andersen lived in three different houses in Nyhavn. He arrived at number 20 in 1834, after a long journey. His first little books of fairy tales were born here.
Later he lived at number 18, right next to number 20. Today the quay is full of cafés and restaurants, and in summer you can hear jazz.
