Freetown Christiania, also known as Christiania, is a former barracks area in Copenhagen’s Christianshavn borough. Colonised by hippies Christiania was declared a ‘free city’ in 1971 and has evolved into a self-governing entity, or social experiment, based on collective ownership.
Currently home to nearly 1,000 residents Christiania has been a source of controversy largely due to its cannabis trade. Yet this alternative living commune is one of Copenhagen’s most popular tourist attractions with 500,000 tourists annually.
Guided tours are available but we enjoyed wandering around on our own exploring:
- Quirky, colourful, painted buildings
- Homemade playgrounds
- DIY houses
- Garden plots
- Art galleries
- Cafes
- Infamous Pusher Street (once an open hash market)
- Rural areas
Ludvigsen, co-author of Christiania’s mission statement, said:
“The objective of Christiania is to create a self-governing society whereby each and every individual holds themselves responsible over the wellbeing of the entire community. Our society is to be economically self-sustaining and, as such, our aspiration is to be steadfast in our conviction that psychological and physical destitution can be averted.”
There’s plenty of colour and character and we enjoyed the handbuilt play parks.
It’s easy to make believe Treasure Island when you’re six years old.
Enjoy relaxing by the lake, playing on the rubber swing and sunbathing on decking.
Even the animals are chilled out.
There’s plenty of creativity – painted buidings, sculptures, murals, trainers hanging from a tree…
A money box of trust and sculptural chairs.
Even the bins are decorated.
The Christiania community negotiated an arrangement in 1995 with the Danish defense ministry (which owns the land) and now residents pay taxes and fees for water, electricity and services such as refuse disposal.
“Only freedom is holy.”
In 2011 Christiania residents agreed to collectively set up a fund to formally purchase land at below market prices, officially becoming legal landowners.
There are many buildings you can enter.
Evidence of the former army barracks and hashish lifestyle.
Christiania is a place like no other.
Planning guide
We arrived in Christiania on foot when exploring Christianshavn.
Copenhagen is very easy to walk around – and even easier by bike.
We flew from Edinburgh to Copenhagen with Norwegian.
Place name: Freetown Christiania or Christiania
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Currency: Danish Krone
Did you know: Christiania residents have developed their rules without the Danish government.
tidaltravel.co.uk 
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