| Dyrehavsbakken | |
|---|---|
| Location | Klampenborg, Denmark |
| Website | Bakken.dk |
| Opened | 1583 |
| Area | 75,000 m2 |
| Rides | 34 total |
Dyrehavsbakken ("The Deer Park Hill"), commonly referred to as Bakken ("The Hill"), is the world's oldest operating amusement park. It is located near Klampenborg (Gentofte municipality) but belongs under Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune, Denmark about 10 km north of Copenhagen. With 2.5-2.7 million visitors per year, it is the second most popular attraction in Denmark, after the more widely known amusement park Tivoli Gardens.[1][2]
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The origins of Dyrehavsbakken can be traced back to 1583 when Kirsten Piil discovered a natural spring in what is now known as Jægersborg Dyrehave or Dyrehaven, a large forest park north of Copenhagen.[1] Residents of Copenhagen were attracted to the spring due to the poor water quality in the area during the time period. Many believed the natural spring water to have curative properties, and therefore Piil's discovery drew large crowds, especially in the springtime.[1] These large crowds attracted entertainers and hawkers, whose presence began the origins of amusement parks as are presently known.
For a period of time, the area that the spring was located was not open to the public due to it being on royal hunting grounds.[1] In 1669, King Frederick III decided to set up an animal park in the area and his son, Christian V, extended the size of the park by 3-4 times after he became king in 1670. The area was named Jægersborg Dyrehave, its present name, in 1671. The park was off-limits to the general public under Christian V and this did not change until 1756, under Frederick V.
Open to the general public once again, Dyrehavsbakken began to flourish. The entertainers, hawkers, and innkeepers returned to the area, and Bakken's growing reputation throughout Europe attracted other entertainers and artists, including Pjerrot, the clown that is still a fixture at the park today.[1] Bakken continued to grow even throughout the Napoleonic Wars, aided by easier accessibility due to the development of railroads and steamships as well as good publicity from poets and authors.[1]
As the popularity of Bakken grew, its conditions worsened. As a result, some of the business owners, or "tent owners" as they are still called today, created the Dyrehavsbakken Tent Owners’ Association of 1885.[1] The association improved garbage collection, restroom facilities, water supply, publicity, and helped bring electricity to the park. The association is still around today, and all businesses operating in the park are required to join.
The entertainment options also improved over time. Cabarets such as Sansouci, which opened in 1866, and Bakkens Hvile, which opened in 1877, became increasingly popular.[1] The 20th century brought other popular ventures, such as the Circus Revue and moving rides.[1] Over time, more modern rides and entertainment options have been introduced.
Bakken may have started as a place to get clean spring water, but today it is a thriving amusement park filled with modern rides and amenities. Bakken is home to five roller coasters, the most famous of which is Rutschebanen (Danish for "The Roller Coaster"), a wooden roller coaster open since 1932. Rutschebanen has been deemed an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic.[3] The park is also home to dozens of other flat, or amusement, rides suited for all ages.
The following table gives information on the roller coasters currently at Bakken.
| Ride | Year Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mariehønen | 2001 or earlier | Family style roller coaster with oval layout.[4] |
| Mine Train Ulven | 1997 | Mine train style roller coaster. Name is Danish for "Wolf's Mine Train." Tunnel added to drop in 2004.[5] |
| Racing | 1980s | Wild mouse style roller coaster. Traveled with Showman Rudolf Robrahn from 1971 to 1974, built in 1971.[6] |
| Rutschebanen | 1932 | Wooden side friction style roller coaster. Name is Danish for "Roller Coaster." ACE Coaster Classic.[7] |
| Tornado | 2009 | Wild mouse style roller coaster with enclosed, spinning cars. Contains extensive theming and effects.[8] |
Bakken contains many other entertainment options in addition to rides. This includes carnival-style games, slot machines, and dancing. The park's mascot, Pjerrot the clown, performs everyday for young children. The park is also home to Bakkens Hvile music hall, where cabarets are common, as well as the Circus Revue, a live circus-style performance.[9] There are also live music performances in lounges and bars across the park on a regular basis.
The park is home to dozens of restaurants of all tastes and price ranges. The style of restaurants range from standard amusement park street food vendors, to buffets, to fancier wine-and-dine restaurants. The type of food represented ranges from standard amusement park fare, such as hamburgers and cotton candy, to tradition Danish cuisine, such as Pølser (Danish hot dogs), Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes), and Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), to many other types of international cuisine. Bakken also contains numerous bars and lounges, where popular Danish beer such as Carlsberg and Tuborg are served.
Bakken is open daily from the end of March through the end of August. Entrance into the park area is free, but rides and attractions require money. Price depends on the ride or attraction. Discounted coupons, wristbands, and season passes can also be purchased.[10]