page_title: Gammel Strand
section_title: Copenhagen's cradle
hierarchical_section_title: Gammel Strand / History / Copenhagen's cradle
caption_attribution_description: English: So-called Skovserkoner - Skovser Women - selling fish in about 1800 at Gammel Stran in Copenhagen, Denmark. The woman on the right wears a version of high-waisted Empire styles adapted to working-class practicalities.
context_page_description: Gammel Strand is a street and public square in central Copenhagen, Denmark. On the south side it borders on the narrow Slotsholmens Canal while the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century. Across the canal, Thorvaldsens Museum and Christiansborg Palace are seen on the island Slotsholmen.
  The art gallery Kunstforeningen and the Ministry of Culture are the most notable institutions facing the street.
context_section_description: Gammel Strand used to be the site of a natural harbour, sheltered by a few small islets later to develop into Slotsholmen. It was around this harbour that Copenhagen was founded as a small fishing and trading settlement in the 11th century. However, archeological finds show that the beach at that time was located considerably further inland. The area was marshy and boats were merely pulled up on the beach. Later land reclamations moved the coastline and a proper harbour developed.
caption: Skovser women, c. 1800
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