The city within the city. Since the beginning of the seventies a hippy commune, hardly changed by the ravages of time (or be it the introduction of paintbrush graffiti). Christiania includes the Eastern fortifications of Copenhagen. The front part, with large squatted barracks, is touristy, with all sorts of taverns and bars – and, like elsewhere in Copenhagen, impressive wall paintings and graffiti pieces. This part can sometimes look radically different at night, when the riot police decides to clear one of the buildings – each time meeting tough resistance from the inhabitants. The north-eastern part of Christiania is considerably larger and has a distinctly different atmosphere. Lots of green on an alternation of the actual star shaped earthen walls and wide moats of the city's old defenses. To this day Norwegian, Swedish and Danish filibusters jointly build new blockhouses to live in. It creates remarkable pieces of contemporary architecture, extensively decorated with wall paintings and sometimes equipped with solar panels to provide for green electricity and the desired off-grid lifestyle. Christiania bikes, the characteristic cargo bikes that show up as far as Amsterdam, are indeed being made in this part of Copenhagen.

Click for further images of Copenhagen and conditions of use.

Copenhagen, Christiania. 'Dear useful police.' Welcome sign at the entrance through the enclosure around the free state. At night Danish riot police regularly enters to clear one of the buildings, almost always temporarily. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Youngsters walking through Christianshavn, just outside the enclosure around Christiania. Fences and walls throughout the city district are full of graffiti and wall paintings. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. 'We're all in this together.' Sticker at graffiti wall. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Gate to little courtyard. The charming part of Christiania. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Cargo bike parked in front of wooden house. The central and Northern part of Christiania are full of sweet, fairylike cottages - built amidst the green. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Wall painting at squat. The Southern part of Christiania consists of a number of large barracks. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Graffiti at fence outside Christiania. It will have to happen all in 2009. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.

Copenhagen, Christiania. Parked cargo bike next to bungalow, in the Northern part of Christiania. Across the water Copenhagen's harbour industry. 'Right mouse button, Save Images As...' for picture at high resolution.