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Compared to the monumental edifices of Christiansborg across the Slotsholmen canal, the district of Indre By presents Copenhagen on a more human scale. The heart of both medieval and modern cities, Indre By occupies the site of the Copenhagen area's original settlement, the small and marshy fishing village of Havn, whose fortunes were transformed by the arrival of Bishop Absalon in 1167. Whilst Absalon and his successors raised their castles on the island of Slotsholmen, the settlement of Havn on the mainland opposite prospered through tax and trade, acquiring the name of København ("Merchant's Harbour") and becoming capital of Denmark in 1445. Within its fortifications - which survive as a ring of parks, lakes and green areas surrounding Indre By - Copenhagen grew rapidly. Although it was ravaged by a series of major fires, as well as being bombarded first by the Swedish, then the British, the medieval town's tangle of tiny streets, squares and ancient churches survived, and is still very much in evidence, in sharp contrast both to the state buildings of Slotsholmen and to the relatively modern areas outside the old fortifications, where permanent settlement only started after 1851. Nowadays, Indre By (literally, "inner city") is the hub of the city's day-to-day activity and very much the public face of Copenhagen, with lively streets perfectly suited to idle ambling amongst crowds of locals, tourists and street entertainers. Two main pedestrianized thoroughfares cross the area: the first is Strøget , the collective name given to the series of streets (Frederiksberggade, Nygade, Vimmelskaftet, Amagertorv and Ostergade) which run across Indre By from Radhuspladsen in the west to Kongens Nytorv in the east. The second, Købmagergade , leaves Strøget at Højbro Plads, heading north towards Nørreport Station via Kultorvet square. These two main drags form the backbone of the city's shopping district, lined by high-street shops that are all rather mainstream and expensive, though the side streets conceal an intriguing array of second-hand and antique shops, as well as many popular and unusual inner-city bars, cafes and restaurants.
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