Castle sights in Copenhagen
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A
Amalienborg Slot
Amalienborg is made up of four rather staid 18th-century palaces ranged around a large cobbled square. It has been home to the Danish royal family since 1794. If you enter the square from the harbour to the east, the palace on your left is the home of the current queen, Margrethe II. Copenhagen’s one great photo opportunity, the changing of the guard, takes place here every day at noon after the new guard has paraded through the city centre from its barracks beside Rosenborg Slot. Across the square in another palace is the Amalienborg Museum, which recreates various royal rooms from the 19th century to WWII. The Danes are fervent royalists and love this kind of stuff, but…
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B
Frederiksborg Slot
Said to be one of the finest Renaissance palaces in Northern Europe, Frederiksborg Slot was bought by Frederik II in 1560 from a local nobleman. By rights, ‘Christiansborg’ Slot would be a better name, as Christian IV was both born here in 1577 and built the castle that stands today in its red-brick and sandstone splendour in the Dutch Renaissance style. Following a devastating fire in 1859, the castle was rebuilt using funds from the Carlsberg Foundation and opened as the Museum of National History in 1877, filled with a priceless collection of furniture and art.
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C
Kastellet
The star-shaped fortress of Kastellet was originally commmissioned by Frederik III in 1662. Today it is one of the most historically evocative sites in the city. Its grassy ramparts and moat surround some beautiful 18th-century barracks, a chapel (sometimes used for concerts) and a tiny lifeguards museum (by the southern gate). On the ramparts is a historic windmill and some excellent views to the Little Mermaid, the harbour and, in the other direction, Marmorkirken.
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D
Ruinerne under Christiansborg
A walk through the crypt-like bowels of Slotsholmen, known as Ruinerne under Christiansborg, offers a unique perspective on Copenhagen’s lengthy history. In the basement of the current palace, beneath the tower, are the remains of two earlier castles. The most notable are the ruins of Absalon’s fortress, Slotsholmen’s original castle, built by Bishop Absalon in 1167.
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E
Rosenborg Slot
Copenhagen’s stunning Renaissance Palace dates from the early 1600s. Its historic rooms, some of them decorative treasures in their own right, are full of artefacts and art from the royal collection. The crown jewels are in the basement. The carp in the moat are said to have descended from Christian IV’s pets/occasional dinner. For opening hours, see the website.
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F
Kunsthal Charlottenborg
This large red-brick building is the historic home of the Kongelige Kunstakademi (Royal Academy of Fine Arts). It is one of the best venues to see contemporary Danish and international art, with changing exhibitions through the year.
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