History of Freetown Christiania

When visiting Copenhagen, an unmissable program: visit the Christiania district!

This is an area with a special status within the Danish capital, legally an autonomous community, a separate small state, so to speak. When you enter, a sign indicates that you are now outside the European Union. Specific rules apply here, which the residents themselves have made.

The history of Freetown Christiania dates back to the 1970s. Originally a military facility that stood empty, it was occupied by a group of young people, as a kind of protest against militarism, but also with the declared goal of distancing themselves from consumer society. Later, many people joined them, people who could not find a home with the current housing prices, or simply identified with the values that the commune expressed: freedom, opposition to the accumulation of goods, the idea of peaceful coexistence captured many local residents.

The government tacitly tolerates the community operating under its own laws, because it caused a huge outcry among the Danes when it was suggested that they wanted to liquidate the Christiania settlement. They do not interfere in local affairs, and there is no police presence, only occasional raids.

The area currently has a population of around 1,000. They cycle, try to grow as much food as possible themselves, and many are involved in handicrafts. The residents have also opened catering establishments, several restaurants and cafes operate, and you can eat here at lower prices than in other parts of Copenhagen.

There is also amazing street art, most of which is free to photograph. Where this is not permitted, there is a mural or sign indicating it.

The only problematic issue is drug use. In the 70s, weed became accepted here - following the example of American hippies - but the community rejects harder drugs. You can still buy weed here today, and you are not allowed to take pictures in the area where the “sellers” are. For a long time, this system worked peacefully, but in recent years the mafia has tried to get its hands on the sale, which has led to conflicts, to the point where young people living in Christiania have been shot.

The story now goes that the mayor of Copenhagen is negotiating with the representative of Freetown, the goal being to ban soft drugs and eliminate the street where they are sold.

If it weren't for the drug problem, this area could truly become an island of peace, and that's in everyone's common interest.