The last Danish execution site, active from 1946 to 1950, can still be seen on the Second Redan close to the building called Aircondition. The wooden execution shed is gone, but the concrete foundation and a drain for the blood remain just next to the path. In total, 29 World War II criminals were executed on the site. The last was Ib Birkedal, a high-level Danish Gestapo collaborator, on 20 July 1950.
Building and area protection
In 2007, the National Heritage Agency proposed protection status for some of the ancient military buildings, now in Christiania. These are:
* Den grå hal ('The grey hall'), formerly a riding house with a unique Bohlendach roof construction, now Christiania's largest concert venue
* Den grønne hal ('The green hall'), originally a smaller riding house
* Mælkebøtten ('The dandelion')
* The Commander's house, a half-timbered building
* The 17th and 18th century powder magazines on the bastions.
Some of the historic buildings have been altered somewhat after Christiania's takeover.
Founding of Christiania
After the military moved out, the area was only guarded by a few watchmen and there was sporadic trespassing of homeless people using the empty buildings. On 4 September 1971, inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood broke down the fence to take over parts of the unused area as a playground for their children.
Although the takeover was not necessarily organised in the beginning, some claim this happened as a protest against the Danish government. At the time there was a lack of affordable housing in Copenhagen.
On 26 September 1971, Christiania was declared open by Jacob Ludvigsen, a well-known provo and journalist who published a magazine calledHovedbladet ('The main paper'), which was intended
