Fæstningskanalen is a canal in central Kongens Lyngby, Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality, Copenhagen, Denmark. Created in the 1880s as part of the new fortification ring around the Danish capital, it runs from Lyngby Lake in the west to Lyngby Hovedgade in the east. From there it originally continued to Ermelunden in Jægersborg Dyrehave, but this last leg of the canal is no longer filled with water. The project also included a more upstream straightening of the section of Mølleåen that connectsFuresø in the west to the west side of Lyngby Lake in the east. The canal complemented the West Rampart and a series of coastal fortresses which were built at the same time. In the event of an enemy invasion, a dam at each end of the canal, one at Frederiksdal and one at Ermelunden, would be opened, and the natural drainage of Lyngby Lake would be blocked, leading to the flooding of an extensive area of land along Hvidørebækken all the way out to the Øresund coast. Water would also be led through Gentofte Lake to Utterslev Mose, leading to further floodings. Together with the moat in front of the West Rampart, this would create a complete water barrier around the Danish capital.
History
Fæstningskanalen was dug in 1887–88. A series of bridges were constructed by the engineering troops. The first was called Kirkegårdsbroen and connected Lyngby Church with Lyngby Assistens Cemetery. It remained intact until the 1920s, when the lower part of the canal was filled.
Restoration project
In January 2010, Lyngby-Taarbæk's utility company, Lyngby Forsyning, presented plans to partly restore the covered section of the canal as part of a scheme to protect central Kongens Lyngby against flooding under heavy rain. On the other side of Kanalvej, a road that runs next to the canal, Danica Pension is building a development, designed by Henning Larsen Architects, that includes the Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen.
Recreational use
Baadfarten, the boat service on Lyngby Lake and Lake Bagsværd is based at Fæstningskanalen. It is located next to the bridge between Rustenborgvej and Sorgenfrivej. Canoe rental is also available.
