Rosenborg Castle () is a

renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

castle A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...

in Copenhagen,

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and is an example of Christian IV's many architectural projects. It was built in the Dutch Renaissance style, typical of Danish buildings during this period, and has been expanded several times, finally evolving into its present condition by the year 1624.

Architects An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

Bertel Lange and

Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger (24 June 1587 – 6 August 1639) was a Flemish- Danish architect who specialised in the Dutch Renaissance style, typical of prestigious Danish buildings from the first half of the 17th century. Along with hi ...

are associated with the structural planning of the castle.

History

The castle was used by Danish regents as a royal residence until around 1710. After the reign of Frederik IV, Rosenborg was used as a royal residence only twice, and both these times were during emergencies. The first time was after

Christiansborg Palace Christiansborg Palace (, ) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament (), the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Also ...

burned down in 1794, and the second time was during the British attack on Copenhagen in 1801.

Architecture

Long Hall

Located on the third floor, the Long Hall was completed in 1624. It was originally intended as a ballroom. Around 1700 it was used as Royal Reception Room and for banquets. It was not until the second half of the 19th century that it became known as the "Knight's Hall". Christian V had the hall partly modernised with twelve tapestries depicting the King's victories in the

Scanian War The Scanian War (; ; ; ) was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark–Norway, Electorate of Brandenburg, Brandenburg and Swedish Empire, Sweden. It was fought from 1675 to 1679 mainly on Scanian soil, in the former Danish ...

(1675–1679). The stucco ceiling seen today is from the beginning of the 18th century. It shows the Danish Coat of Arms surrounded by the Orders of the Elephant and of Dannebrog. Side reliefs depict historical events from the first years of the reign of Frederik IV, including the liberation of the serfs, the founding of the

dragoon Dragoons were originally a class of mounted infantry, who used horses for mobility, but dismounted to fight on foot. From the early 17th century onward, dragoons were increasingly also employed as conventional cavalry and trained for combat wi ...

s and of the land militia among them. The frescos in the ceiling by Hendrick Krock, represent the Regalia. Among the main attractions of Rosenborg are the

coronation chair The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, is an ancient wooden chair that is used by British monarchs when they are invested with regalia and crowned at their coronation. The chair was commissioned in 1296 b ...

of the absolutist kings and the throne of the queens with the three silver lions standing in front. The Long Hall also contains a large collection of silver furniture, of which most is from the 17th century.

Rosenborg Collections

The castle is open to the public for tours and houses a museum exhibiting the Royal Collections, artifacts spanning a breadth of royal Danish culture, from the late 16th century of

Christian IV Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years and 330 days is the longest in Scandinavian history. A member of the H ...

to the 19th century. Some of these articles once belonged to the nobility and the aristocracy. The castle, now state property, was opened to the public in 1838. Of special interest to tourists is a treasury displaying the

Crown Jewels Crown jewels are the objects of metalwork and jewellery in the regalia of a current or former monarchy. They are often used for the coronation of a monarch and a few other ceremonial occasions. A monarch may often be shown wearing them in portra ...

and the Danish Crown Regalia located in the castle. A Coronation Carpet is also stored there. The

Throne Chair of Denmark The Coronation Chair of Denmark ( Danish and ; also: , ) is the chair formerly used in the coronation of the Danish monarch. According to legend, the Coronation Chair is made of the horn of unicorns. In reality, it is made from Norwegian narwh ...

is located in the castle. In the summer time, flowers bloom in front of the castle in the castle garden.

Gardens

The castle is situated in '' Kongens Have'' ("The King's Garden"), also known as " Rosenborg Castle Garden". The Rosenborg Castle Garden is the country's oldest royal garden and was embellished in the Renaissance style by Christian IV shortly before the construction of the main castle. Today, the gardens are a popular retreat for the people of Copenhagen, and attract an estimated 2.5 million visitors every year. Next to the castle are barracks where the Royal Life Guards is garrisoned. The Life Guard guards the castle.

Gallery

Image:Kopenhagen Rosenborg Slot.jpg, Frontal view Image:Rosenborg2.jpg, View from the west Image:Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen2.jpg, Right view Image:Rosenborg Slot, Copenhagen 008 edited.jpg, Rear of Rosenborg Castle Image:Crown_of_King_Christian_IV_of_Denmark.jpg, Crown of Christian IV. On display at the castle Image:Denmark globus cruciger.jpg, Denmark's globus cruciger. On display at the castle Image:Treasury,_Rosenborg_Palace,_Copenhagen_(11)_(35597049163).jpg, The royal baptismal set. On display at the castle

References

External links

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Copenhagen-Portal – Rosenborg Castle and History
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The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea
{{Authority control 1624 establishments in Denmark Brick buildings and structures in Denmark Buildings and structures in Copenhagen parks Castles in Denmark Historic house museums in Copenhagen Houses completed in 1624 Museums in Copenhagen Renaissance architecture in Copenhagen Royal residences in Denmark Tourist attractions in Copenhagen