Sønderborg Castle dates from the mid-12th century, when a stronghold was built on the site, and imposing bastions were added later for further fortification. Rich in local lore, the castle today houses a museum of regional history with exhibits on the wars of 1848 and 1864 as well as paintings from the Danish "Golden Age," offering insights into the political history of Southern Jutland.
Between 1532 and 1549, the castle was used to hold the deposed Danish king, Christian II. In the late 16th century, the fortified castle was turned into a royal residence, and its 1568 chapel rates as one of Europe’s oldest preserved royal chapels. The castle took on its present baroque appearance during further restorations in 1718, and later, during the German occupation, it was used as a German barracks.
