In 1971, hundreds of young people claimed the 85 acres of an abandoned 17th century military base in Copenhagen and set up a community. Over the next 40 years, they build a self-governed community with the hope of becoming legitimate. Finding it politically unpopular to evict the settlers, the Danish government declared Christiania a "short-term social experiment". Following 40 years of tense relations with the government, much of it focusing on the open hashish trade, Christiania is on its way to becoming a legitimate community. Christiania was born in 1971 when youthful idealism and a severe housing shortage incited hundreds of young people to occupy 85 acres of deserted brick buildings, woods, ramparts and canals as their home.

In 1971, hundreds of young people claimed the 85 acres of an abandoned 17th century military base in Copenhagen and set up a community. Over the next 40 years, they build a self-governed community with the hope of becoming legitimate. Finding it politically unpopular to evict the settlers, the Danish government declared Christiania a "short-term social experiment". Following 40 years of tense relations with the government, much of it focusing on the open hashish trade, Christiania is on its way to becoming a legitimate community. Christiania was born in 1971 when youthful idealism and a severe housing shortage incited hundreds of young people to occupy 85 acres of deserted brick buildings, woods, ramparts and canals as their home.