Freetown Christiania – The Path Issue

“You are now leaving the European Union”

This has nothing to do with Brexit. It is what is written on the entrance arch of Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen.

The area has a self-proclaimed status of a free, autonomous town, and was called a “social experiment”. Christiania was founded in 1971, when the housing prices in the Danish capital were too high for many to afford to buy and so a group of squatters broke into the abandoned military facility and made it their home.

It now has a population of more than 800 people, its own set of rules, flag and even currency. It has a strong hippy vibe– there are peace and love signs all around, people grow their own fruit and veg, and there are colourful murals at any corner. The old military barracks have been transformed into homes, shops and restaurants and some residents even built their own houses using various materials. One of the most impressive constructions is the “Glass House”. It is made by recycled windows and is an example of the modern “architecture without architects”. You can also encounter interesting sculptures made from recycled materials, beautiful art. Even the rubbish bins have an opinion of their own.

Check out more on Freetown Christiania here.