Rigets flag, un des drapeaux du Danemark
Rigets flag is a flagpole located on Nyholm, a small island near Copenhagen, positioned at the entrance to the harbor. The pole flies the Danish flag, known as Dannebrog, and has stood at this spot since 1938, with the flag raised at dawn and lowered at dusk each day.
The first flag was raised on Nyholm in 1690 when the island was built for the navy, and the current permanent installation at this location began in 1938. During World War II, the flag was lowered to half-mast in 1941 on orders from King Christian X to mourn the loss of Danish naval vessels.
Rigets flag translates to "flag of the realm" in Danish and serves as a symbol of national sovereignty displayed on Nyholm. It is raised during ceremonies and royal visits to the naval base, connecting visitors to Denmark's maritime traditions and the country's official identity.
The flagpole stands on Nyholm, an island accessible by regular bus service where visitors are welcome if they follow naval base rules. The best times to observe the flag are early morning when it is raised or at sunset when it is lowered.
A royal prince once watched the Battle of the Redoubt from this location in 1801, and today the flag is raised during ceremonial occasions with cannon salutes marking both raising and lowering. This makes it one of the few places in Denmark where military honors are still regularly performed.
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