Located in Denmark's Copenhagen, and covering an area of 0.34 sq km (34 hectares), the controversial Christiania Freetown is located within the city’s 17th century fortifications and military barracks. Since its creation, the Christiania community has solicited a number of social and political debates, especially considering the free cannabis trade that characterised the community.

The area first attracted underprivileged and homeless squatters in the early 1970s, eventually joined by the Hippie community, who dominated the land for four decades. The Christiania population has since grown to 850 inhabitants (including over 100 children), whose way of life and raison d'être constitute an ongoing challenge to the Danish authorities despite numerous dialogues extended and developed by both sides over the years. 

In the meantime, Christiania continues to attract tourists who are offered a visually enriching experience through the abundant and well-preserved nature as well as the original architecture and countless murals testifying to the creativity of the area's residents. 

Read more about Christiania here

Photos by Ati Metwaly