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This is the oldest amusement park in the world

Marija Georgievska

Dyrehavsbakken (The Deer Park’s Hill), commonly referred to as Bakken, is an amusement park near Klampenborg, about 10 km north of Copenhagen in Denmark, and it is the oldest amusement park in the world.

C.A. Lorentzen (1746-1828), group of perormers at Dyrehavsbakken place, about 1800
C.A. Lorentzen (1746-1828), group of performers at Dyrehavsbakken place, about 1800.

Founded in 1583, it was the favorite place for the people of Copenhagen for centuries. Kirsten Pill discovered a natural spring in what is now known as Jaegersborg Dyrehave, a large forest park north of Copenhagen.

People from Copenhagen were attracted to the spring due to the poor water quality in central Copenhagen during this period.

These large crowds attracted entertainers, whose presence eventually evolved into something like amusement parks as they are presently known.

A memorial to Kirsten Pill. Photo Credit
A memorial to Kirsten Pill. Photo Credit

According to history, the area that the spring was located on was on royal hunting grounds.

King Frederick III decided to set up an animal park in the area, and later his son Christian V extended this park in 1670. The park was not open to the public until 1756.

Rutschebanen roller coaster. Photo Credit
Rutschebanen roller coaster. Photo Credit

The Bakken amusement park is a great mix of new and old rides and stalls. It has six roller coasters, and the most famous is Rutschebanen, a wooden roller coaster open since 1932.

This roller coaster has been deemed an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic.

The park is home to dozens of restaurants of all tastes and price ranges. Photo Credit
The park is home to dozens of restaurants of all tastes and price ranges. Photo Credit

The park is also home to dozens of other flat, or amusement, rides suited for all ages. It has Bumper cars, Ghost Train, Samba Tower, Water Cannon, Carousel, Little Trains, Water slides, and many more.

It is a perfect blend of amusements, restaurants , pubs, and bars with entertainment and live music. Big brands are not allowed to set up stands at Bakken because of its historic value.

Bakken contains many other entertainment options in addition to rides. Photo Credit
Bakken contains many other entertainment options in addition to rides. Photo Credit
People outside the cigarette shop at Bakken in 1945.
People outside the cigarette shop at Bakken in 1945.

The park is also home to Bakkens Hvile music hall, where cabarets are common, as well as a Circus Revue.

Bakken continued to grow even throughout the Napoleonic Wars. Photo Credit
Tivoli Gardens amusement park.  Photo Credit

The park is open daily from the end of March through the end of August. Visitors can see many deer in one place in a single day. It is the second most popular attraction in Denmark, after Tivoli Gardens amusement park.

Marija Georgievska

Marija Georgievska is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News