2 . 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? In one of Andersen’s fairy tales, she left the world of the Sea People in search of a human soul. From the harbor you can get a feel for “the city of green spires”. In cloudy weather, the copper-covered spires of old castles and churches give the city a dream-like atmosphere; you’ll think you’ve stepped into a watercolor painting.

Copenhagen is a city on a human scale(人性化的). You don’t have to hurry to walk in the city’s centre in less than an hour. Exploring it will take much longer. Copenhagen was the first city to declare a street for pedestrians(行人) only. The city has less traffic noise and pollution than any other European capital.

Churches and castles are almost all that remain of the original city. Copenhagen became the capital city in 1445. During the late 16^th century , trade grew, and so did the city. But fires in 1728and 1795 destroyed the old wooden structures. Much of what we see today dates from the 19^th century.