If you’re looking for an activity that will take you out of the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, and off the beaten path, you might try something that not many people know about: giant hunting.
Most of the tourists in Copenhagen, Denmark, choose to stop by the colorful Nyhavn harbor, the bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, or the whimsical Tivoli amusement park. But if you’re looking for an activity that will take you out of the city and off the beaten path, you might try something that not many people know about: giant hunting.
Benevolent Behemoths
Scattered throughout the municipalities surrounding Copenhagen are six friendly giants: Oscar Under the Bridge, Thomas on the Mountain, Sleeping Louis, Little Tilde, Teddy Friendly, and Hill Top Trine. How did they get there? Thomas Dambo is responsible for that. The Danish artist has crafted almost 100 benevolent behemoths like these ones all over the world.
Dambo’s Copenhagen giants, nicknamed “The Forgotten Six,” were built in 2016. Each one is a huge wooden sculpture (most of them between 15 and 30 feet tall) carefully crafted from local scrap wood and other recycled materials. The giants’ serene faces, long limbs, and other detailed features make each one a surprising, welcoming sight.
To bring these giants to life, Thomas enlisted various assistants, other artists, and even some people struggling with unemployment. All of the giants are named after different people who participated in the project.
Adventures off the Beaten Path
So why build giant wooden sculptures away from the usual foot traffic? One of the main ideas behind the project was to help people get out into nature and appreciate the hidden gems there. For instance, Thomas on the Mountain reclines in such a way that visitors who join him will see a great view of a nearby town through the trees. Likewise, Hill Top Trine’s serene position atop her hill is a great spot for visitors to relax and enjoy the nature around them.
Dambo’s sculptures also have unique interactive features. Many of the Forgotten Six have long, lanky limbs that are perfect for people to climb on. Teddy Friendly’s leg juts out over a lake, inviting people to test their balance as they walk across. One of the giants, Sleeping Louis, has a hollow interior for people to climb (or even sleep) inside. Little Tilde has 28 birdhouses incorporated into her design for woodland creatures to come and stay. And Oscar Under the Bridge reaches up with one long arm to interact with anyone who walks across his home.
So when you visit Denmark, don’t spend all your time in the city. Grab a map and head out on a treasure hunt to visit these friendly goliaths in their beautiful homes. You’ll be glad you did!