Christiania is a 34 hectare green oasis. The sanctuary has become a popular tourist attraction and is a well-known flagship for the progressive and liberated Danish lifestyle. Even though Christiania barely has 1000 inhabitants it attracts over one million visitors per year.

Youths knock down fence

The history of Christiania all started in 1971 when a group of youths knocked down a fence in the corner of Prinsessegade/Bådmandsstræde. They needed somewhere to stay and the old military base stood vacant. This resulted in a massive immigration were homeless youths, alternative forces, hippies, artists and other occupants moved into the sanctuary. After this Christiania became an option for people who wanted to create another life based on values like community and freedom. Since the very beginning Christiania has had problems with the government and the police. The Danish population is torn regarding if Christiania should exist or not.

The cultural life

Except the old barracks all of the houses in Christiania are homemade. It can be everything from annexes to barracks or architectural experiments like the banana house located next to the embankment. Furthermore you’ll find art everywhere in the shape of sculptures, paintings and houses, and Christiania has created their own esthetics that diverges from the ordinary Danish neighborhood. In 1991 the green plan was founded, the goal is to maintain organic functionality and recycling of water, electricity and garbage. Christiania has a rich cultural life in the shape of restaurants, cafes, theatres and famous musical spots like Loppen and Den Grå Hal were both Bob Dylan, Alanis Morisette and Blur has performed.

The pushers has been thrown out

The sanctuary is known for its liberal drug policy and Pusher Street; were people traded hashish in public. During the 70’s Christiania got big problems with dealers selling heavy drugs which resulted in a bad reputation and drug addicts. The sanctuary formed a treatment system for addicts and took actions against the drug dealers, which mainly were members of motorcycle clubs. During the 80’s the inhabitants managed to get rid of the heavy drugs and throw the dealers out themselves. And still today you can see signs with the inscription: Say no to heavy drugs. But the end result is that Christiania has become an even bigger market for hashish, which is illegal in the rest of Denmark.

Christiania’s future

Lately the government has taken actions to tear down a large part of Christiania that is located in a very attractive area. The recent years has therefore been very turbulent for the inhabitants, with legal processes, police raids and attempts to close the sanctuary. But still Christiania is a nice break from the city roar and a chance to experience, nature, weird architecture and to see a completely different side of Denmark.

Oresundsregionen.dk recommends: Enjoy a cold beer on the lawn in front of the Månefiskeren in the summer or experience a winter concert at Loppen!

Published 2008-12-03 08:25