Copenhagen, the current capital city of Denmark has an interesting history that dates back to the 11th century. Although it was besieged by the Hanseatic league and laid to waste frequently, Copenhagen was the second Danish town to be fortified after Kalundborg in the 13th century with a stone wall. Then under the possession of Bishop Absalon, it became a very important town that was a crucial trading center. Thereafter, the town came under the leadership of the crown taking it over from the Bishop after a long struggle. Despite all the centuries of warring and struggles the town increasingly grew rich and enabled Copenhageners to do trade with foreign merchants who came into the town.
The town significantly grew in the 15th century when Christian IV of Denmark decided to add more districts and fortifications with earthworks. Under his leadership, craftsmen constructed magnificent edifices that truly enhanced the prestige of this city. The king also made the trading companies that had a right to trade with overseas lands. In the process, he also steered for the establishment of many factories that enabled the manufacturing of many products at home, making the city very independent.
By the time the king died in 1614, the town had become the Danish fortification and naval port. This made it the center of trade in the Northern Europe region and the pillar for administration of the Danish kingdom.
As the town continued being reinforced with earthworks, it strengthened it’s importance in the 12th century prompting the Roman catholic church to erect cathedrals in Roskilde and in Lund hence laying the foundation for further developments in those regions. Since it was strategically located, it became the center for traffic and trade. The economy of this city blossomed greatly in the years that followed due to the herring fishery trade. This also provided most parts of the Roman catholic in Europe with salted herring for Lent.
Sadly, after the death of the king, the years that followed left the city devastated and damaged greatly. In 1658, to 1659 , Charles X repelled a successful war at the city. About a century later, it was also ravaged by a fierce fire that left the medieval part of the town void and useless. The increased shooting range of the British rendered the old defense line of the town useless during the British war famously referred to as The battle of Copenhagen that was led by Admiral Parker of the British. The war caused massive damage and the loss of lives. The population of the city that is about 25,000 people has been influenced by among other factors poor sanitation and massive lose of lives in the old town that was initially densely populated.
With the good transport network that was built later, the city is now well connected by a toll bridge called Oresund for both it’s rail and road transport. In fact, the construction of the bridge has led to a good public transport system that has greatly influenced it’s growth into a major business hub.