The Old Skating Pond 1989, Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plate

1989 Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate, designed by Svend Vestergaard, has the title The Old Skating Pond. Royal Copenhagen’s Christmas plate from 1989 depicts what at first glance seems to be simply a classic winter scene, familiar to all, but in fact a historical site serves as backdrop. The skating pond is actually part of the moat surrounding the old capital of Copenhagen, built by Denmark’s heroic renaissance king Christian IV. Its moats and ramparts have long served as the setting for idyllic promenades in the summer, and ice sports in the winter. During the past years ramparts as well as buildings have been renovated, and now the old citadel appears as one of the most beautiful refuges in a busy city.