The Little Mermaid

Symbol of Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid is considered to be the most visited place in Copenhagen and the most known association with the city. Danish people, however, are not so keen on this idea: how can a small statue be the symbol of the whole beautiful city?

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I was so eager to see this statue that, when I finally saw it, it brought positive emotions with some bitter after-taste.. I should say: it is really overestimated.. Why? There are a couple of reasons:

Reason 1: the symbol of city is actually located out of the city. If you want to find it without any map or help, you probably won't manage. From the city center (Nyhavn) you need to take a bus which takes around 10/15 minutes to get to the surbubs of the city. After that you need to walk for another 15-20 minutes to reach the place. And what do you find there?

Reason 2: It is small, simple statue, situated on the rocks. Nothing very special. Of course, there are loads of tourists making selfies and trying to capture the statue from the unusual angle. Let's be clear: there are no unusual angles to make a picture of the Mermaid.

If it is so overestimated, why do people come here?

• It is a brand of Copenhagen. "How come you were in Copenhagen and didn't see The Little Mermaid?! " - that's what you may hear from your lovely relatives if you didn't have time for the statue..



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• It's history. The history is nice: everybody knows the fairytale written by famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen "The Little Mermaid". Not so much people know though that this statue was the present of the son of the founder of Carlsberg brewery to the city of Copenhagen. The model for the head of the statue was the famous ballet dancer Ellen Prince, for the body they say that the wife of the artist Edvard Eriksen was the model.
• Celebrations. In 2014 The Little Mermaid turned 100 years and there were massive celebrations. What is more, it is beloved place for different events and gatherings.
• It is free. Indeed, the symbol of Copenhagen is free to see which is especially important in such expensive city..

P. S. : There is a kind of a fortress situated nearby so check it if you have time ;)