copenhagen's oases

while the weather may have been edging toward spring for the last month during my stay in copenhagen, i did find a number of little escapes that i only wish i would have discovered earlier during the cold and gray winter/spring.

degas' "little dancer of fourteen years" with
rodin's "the kiss" behind it

the ny carlsberg glyptotek, an art museum built around the personal collection of carl jacobsen, the son of the founder of the carlsberg breweries, is one of the finest museums in copenhagen. it is home to a large number of antique sculptures from the ancient cultures around the mediterranean including egypt, rome, and greece, as well as more modern sculptures including a collection of rodin works (considered the most important outside of france) and some degas pieces. however, the museum is equally noted for its collection of paintings that includes an extensive collection of french impressionists and post-impressionists as well as danish golden age paintings.

the two wings of the museum are connected by the winter garden with mosaic floors, tall palms, a fountain and topped by a dome made in copper and wrought iron 

however, the best part of the museum was the winter garden that connects the two wings of the museum. underneath the dome are fountains filled with koi fish, marble sculptures, a cafe, and benches hidden among the abundance of greenery. i found one unoccupied bench nestled between two palm trees and with the trickling sound of water from the fountain and murmur of conversations from the cafe nearby, felt like i was totally on vacation.

a couple of days later, i went with my danish language and culture class to the university of copenhagen's botanical garden. it is particularly noted for its extensive complex of historical glasshouses dating from 1874 and is a part of the national history museum of denmark. it serves both research, educational, and recreational purposes. the botanical garden contains more than 13,000 species, almost all of which have been collected in the wild.

it was literally 1000 degrees inside the botanical house. butterflies flitted through the humidity, fish skirted amongst the aquatic pond plants, frogs croaked from the edges of the narrow footpaths, and i only wish i had found this little paradise sooner.

later that day, melissa and i went on a walk together one day and decided to visit amalienborg palace once more and visit frederik's church, popularly known as the marble church, right next door.

it is an evangelical lutheran church intended to commemorate the 300 years jubilee of the first coronation of a member of the house of oldenburg. it was beautiful and particularly calm inside as the sunlight streamed through the windows lighting up the golden mosaics throughout.

finally, i visited the rosenborg castle gardens (also known as the king's gardens) located in rosenborg palace's backyard. the oldest and most visited park in copenhagen was established in the early 17th century as the private gardens of king christian iv. danes young and old, students, and tourists were spread across the enormous gardens soaking in the sun and enjoying the greenery. so i found my own space, sat amongst them, and became another content and carefree dane.