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The Kastellet, Copenhagen

The Kastellet (citadel) is a military bastion near Copenhagen harbour.

This view of the canal that surrounds it was taken from the Gefion Fountain (previous post.) The winged structure just to the left of upper centre was actually our ship’s funnel:-

Defensive Military Canal, Kastellet, Copenhagen

The water and banked earth round the Kastellet reminded me of Naarden in The Netherlands.

This is a view of the moat from the exit bridge nearer the harbour:-

Kastellet Military Canal, Copenhagen

As is this, looking in the opposite direction:-

Kastellet Canal, Copenhagen

Right by that exit bridge bridge this bird was nesting. It refused to lift its head so that I could get a good photo:-

Nesting Bird by Kastellet, Copenhagen

Naarden

On our way back from Ypres to the north of The Netherlands we stopped off at the small town of Naarden.

It’s a stunning place, built as a fortress surrounded by fortifications which stick out into a canal acting as a moat giving the whole the appearance of a many pointed star – and apparently only the one road in or out crossing the moat/canal.

Naarden

It has typical Dutch streets. The day we visited was a national holiday by the time we got there it was late afternoon so it wasn’t very busy.

Naarden 1

Right by the church was this statue of the man known as the father of modern education, Jan Comenius, who is buried in Naarden:-

Statue of Jan Comenius, Naarden, Netherlands

Here’s a flavour of the fortification earthworks and surrounding canal/moat:-

Naarden Fortifications Stitch

Naarden Fortifications 6

Naarden Fortifications 5

Naarden Fortifications 4

Some of the houses had an Art Deco feel, especially in the stained glass, but which may have been just Dutch:-

Naarden Stained Glass Window

Naarden Stained Glass Window

Naarden Stained Glass

There was more than a hint of deco about this doorway canopy and fanlights in “rule of three”:-

Naarden Art Deco Style

I think this may have been the old gateway to the town:-

Naarden 14

A delightful wee place, but it’s not as unique as you might think. There is another such canal/moat surrounded Dutch town. Its near the German border and called Bourtange; but we didn’t get to there.

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