I have been traveling to Copenhagen on business a couple of times this year and every time I was impressed by a collection of old, yellow houses. Rows and rows of yellow colored houses with red wooden shutters and green window-frames. From behind the taxi window I always wondered about these houses: why were they built like this and who lived there? They really impressed me. But before I could get my camera out of my bag the traffic light went green and my taxi accelarated…
Until last month when I accidentally booked a hotel right next to my favorite yellow houses. Time to wander around and take some pictures!
Yellow houses of Nyboder
The area is called Nyboder. And yes, the yellow color combined with the infinite repetition is enchanting. The houses are old though, built in 1631(!). From the start this was a privileged area to live in. Originally they were built by King Christian IV to house his Danish Navy personnel and their families. Nyboder offered priviliges to its residents: their own private hospital, schools and even a police force. However, in return every male resident (even all the boys born into Nyboder families) were obliged to perform military duty.
Nyboder yellow
‘Nyboder yellow’ is famous in Copenhagen. Its for sure unique in the sense that normally such houses do not last for centuries. Make sure to pay the area a visit when in Copenhagen! Update 2020: all houses are currently undergoing renovation, but probably the yellow color will stay!
Nyboder Copenhagen
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6 comments
Wow, I can definitely see why those drew you in. I can’t believe they are that old! How interesting that is, all in itself. Thanks for sharing!
Pleasure! Copenhagen is such a fun city with all kinds of great architecture and design. We will be back end of August…cannot wait 🙂
Love these houses – and with so many bikes parked out in front I think I would feel right at home.
Haha, I am sure you would! Copenhagen topped Amsterdam this year being the world’s most bicycle-friendly city in the world!
Hi Emiel, I was in Copenhagen earlier in the year and went here too. I loved it. Nice family blog you have here. Did you also visit Christiania as a family or not? Safe travels. Jonny
Thanks for the compliment Jonny, much appreciated! I have heard of Christiania but have not visited…yet. We will be in Copenhagen for a long weekend end of August. Will put it on our itinerary!