A while ago I wrote about visiting The National Library of Latvia in Riga. Today I want to post about my visit to another library. This one is in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark and is the National Library of Denmark, or better known as the Black Diamond. I came here last year after Hivefest in Amsterdam, so it's a long overdue post. But goods things are worth waiting for 😊
Black Diamond
The name Black Diamond is so called due to the building's distinctive front exterior that is made up of many blocks of black granite from Zimbabwe. It sits on the side of the river and the shimmery reflection from the water onto the black granite gives it that extra sparkle bringing its name to life.
The library consists of three separate blocks. At the back is the original library which dates back to 1906. In 1968 an extension was built, it's already a lot more modern looking compared to the original library. Then in 1999, the Black Diamond was built.
This image is taken from the other side of the building. Here you can see the two footbridges that connect the 1968 extension and the Black Diamond across the road.
Old Library
I started my visit to the Black Diamond in the old library first. My favorite room is this one, which houses the catalog system. In the old days, there were no computers but people still needed a way to catalog and find books. This was done using a card system, and the cards were placed in little drawers. It must have been quite difficult to find a book and imagine if some idiot put the card back in the wrong place, that would be a nightmare for others!
A bit further on is this room. I don't know what it's called, I just found the octagonal design very interesting.
I didn't go upstairs to the old library as I was more interested in seeing the Black Diamond. Access to that was via the extension block, and across the footbridge.
From Old to New
The entrance from the old to the new is the orangey part in the middle of the image below. It leads directly to a moving walkway that takes you to the front of the Black Diamond. I took this photo on the walkway looking back to the old library. And that's when I noticed a massive painting on the ceiling. The massive 210sqm painting covers the ceiling of the footbridge, connecting the old to new world.
New Library
Here's the moving walkway I mentioned earlier on. It cuts through the entire building and if you come in through the front (which I didn't), the sight of it and the whole central foyer and balconies really takes your breath away.
The view coming down the walkway from the old library was equally, if not more impressive. The light from the waterfront flushes into the library through the 24-meter-high glass windows. And then you have the curved balconies on the upper floors which are like waves gently swaying towards the river. Literally, not physically, thank goodness!!
I was here around noon time, and the light was gushing through from the front window, creating these very interesting shadows of the stools and tables dotted around in the central atrium.
Moving further up
The Black Diamond is a proper functional library, but due to its impressive architecture it's also a popular landmark for busybody tourists like me. Visitors are free to wander around most of the library. I think some reading rooms have restricted access, so I don't know what I missed. Probably not a lot as those reading rooms are normally more functional than aesthetic. What I do know is what I saw from the central atrium really took my breath away.
Everything from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom looking upwards, and inside looking out gives a different perspective on the enormity of this impressive structure.
This photo was taken from the footbridge that connects the two sides. It was on the top floor, I can't remember if it was the 7th or 8th floor. All I remember was I had jelly legs and was so scared when I walked across. Plus I had to hold on to my mobile phone so tight so I wouldn't drop it. Just thinking about it and looking at this photo now terrifies me!!! But the view, it was worth it!
After visiting the Black Diamond, I caught the harbour bus (a boat) to a hip area called Refshaleøen in Copenhagen. The half hour ride only costs USD3 and is a great way to see more of Copenhagen including the famous Nyhavn, albeit from a distance. I posted about this trip here if you're interested. If you're ever in Copenhagen and don't want to spend a fortune as a tourist, both these budget activities are highly recommended to safe your arm and leg.
