Question: What if I told you that right here in Copenhagen, lies a place where fairytales come alive? This is Tivoli Gardens. It is not just an amusement park. It is a historic landmark. Tivoli holds stories within its vibrant gardens. It is a place where the past dances with the present.
Tivoli Gardens opened its gates on August 15, 1843. This makes Tivoli the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world. Only Dyrehavsbakken, also in Denmark, and Wurstelprater in Vienna are older. Georg Carstensen founded Tivoli. He convinced King Christian VIII that amusements would keep people from political thoughts. The king granted Carstensen use of 15 acres outside Vesterport for a small annual rent.
From the start, Tivoli was designed to be enchanting. Exotic buildings, theaters, bandstands and restaurants dotted the landscape. Flower gardens bloomed. Mechanical rides like merry-go-rounds thrilled visitors. At night, colored lamps lit up the gardens. Fireworks reflected in Tivoli’s lake. This lake is a remnant of the city’s old moat. Tivoli was inspired by Jardin de Tivoli in Paris and Vauxhall Gardens in London. It was first named Tivoli & Vauxhall.
Hans Christian Lumbye was Tivoli’s musical director for nearly 30 years. He composed many pieces inspired by the gardens. He was known as the Strauss of the North. The Tivoli Symphony Orchestra still plays his music.
The Pantomime Theatre is a unique gem. Built in 1874, it replaced a smaller theatre. Its mechanical peacock tail serves as a curtain. The theatre presents Italian pantomimes. These shows feature characters from Commedia dell’Arte. Cassander, Columbine, Harlequin, and Pierrot entertain audiences without spoken words.
Tivoli has evolved. Yet it retains its original charm. Georg Carstensen said that Tivoli will never be finished. Walt Disney echoed this sentiment about Disneyland. In fact, Disney visited Tivoli several times for inspiration.
The wooden roller coaster Rutschebanen opened in 1914. It is one of the world’s oldest operating wooden roller coasters. An operator controls the ride. This ensures it does not go too fast down the hills. The Demon is a steel floorless roller coaster. It features loops and rolls. In 2017, Tivoli added a virtual reality experience to The Demon.
The Star Flyer offers panoramic city views. It stands 260 feet tall. Vertigo was a looping plane ride. Riders controlled the plane themselves. It was removed in 2021. Aquila is a giant swing and spinner. It opened in 2013. Fatamorgana offers two ride experiences. Tik Tak is a spinner ride that opened in 2018.
Tivoli also hosts many performances. The Tivoli Youth Guard is a band of children. They perform music in the park. The Tivoli Concert Hall hosts classical music performances. Friday Rock concerts feature pop and rock music. Tivoli Gardens is also one of the venues for the Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
In 1943, Nazi sympathizers burned many of Tivoli’s buildings. Temporary buildings were quickly built. The park reopened after a few weeks. Tivoli is a place of resilience.
The word tivoli is synonymous with amusement park in several languages. Tivoli Gardens has a Halloween Fest in October. It has Christmas holidays in December. Fireworks light up the sky every Saturday during summer. The fireworks are set to music.
As you leave Tivoli Gardens, remember its history. It has enchanted millions. Tivoli is a place where imagination knows no bounds. It is a garden that forever grows.