英语散文：美不胜收的哥本哈根_公共英语阅读理解

英语散文：美不胜收的哥本哈根

Spotlight on Copenhagen

Are you too old for fairy tales? If you think so, Copenhagen is sure to change your mind.

See the city first from the water. In the harbor sits Denmark s best-known landmark: the Little Mermaid. Remember her? She left the world of the Sea People in search of a human soul in one of Hans Christian Andersen s beloved fantasies. From the harbor you can get a feel for the attractive "city of green spires." At twilight or in cloudy weather, the copper-covered spires of old castles and churches lend the city a dream-like atmosphere. You ll think you ve stepped into a watercolor painting.

Copenhagen is a city on a human scale. You don t have to hurry to walk the city s center in less than an hour. Exploring it will take much longer. But that s easy. Copenhagen was the first city to declare a street for pedestrians only. The city has less traffic noise and pollution than any other European capital.

Stroll away from the harbor along the riverbanks, you ll see the modest Amalienborg Palace first. Completed in the mid-18th century, it still houses the royal family. The Danish Royal Guard is on duty. At noon, you ll watch the changing of the guard. The guards are not just for show, however. Danes will always remember their heroism on April 9, 1940. When the Nazis invaded Denmark, the guards aimed their guns and fired. Soldiers fell on both sides. The guards would all have been killed if the king hadn t ordered them to surrender.