Rosenborg Castle
Encyclopedia
Rosenborg Castle is a renaissance
castle
located in the centre of Copenhagen
, Denmark
. 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
Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger
are associated with the structural planning of the castle.
, Rosenborg was used as a royal residence only twice, and both these times were during emergencies. The first time was after Christiansborg Palace
burned down in 1794, and the second time was during the British attack on Copenhagen in 1801.
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 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
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 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.
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 an exhibition of the Crown Jewels
and the Danish Crown Regalia
located in the castle. A Coronation Carpet
is also stored there. In the summer time, flowers bloom in front of the castle in the castle garden.
is garrisoned. The Life Guard guards the castle.
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
located in the centre of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and is an example of Christian IV's
Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
many architectural projects. It was built in the Dutch Renaissance
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, 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
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger
Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger
Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger 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...
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 IVFrederick IV of Denmark
Frederick IV was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1699 until his death. Frederick was the son of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel .-Foreign affairs:...
, 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
Christiansborg Palace, , on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, is the seat of the Folketing , the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court...
burned down in 1794, and the second time was during the British attack on Copenhagen in 1801.
Long Hall
Christian V
Christian V of Denmark
Christian V , was king of Denmark and Norway from 1670 to 1699, the son of Frederick III of Denmark and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
had the hall partly modernised with twelve tapestries depicting the King's victories in the Scanian War
Scanian War
The Scanian War was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark-Norway, Brandenburg and Sweden. It was fought mainly on Scanian soil, in the former Danish provinces along the border with Sweden and in Northern Germany...
. The stucco ceiling seen today is from the beginning of the 18th century. It shows the Danish Coat of Arms
Coat of arms of Denmark
The royal coat of arms is more complex. The shield is quartered by a silver cross fimbriated in red, derived from the Danish flag, the Dannebrog. The first and fourth quarters represent Denmark by three crowned lions passant accompanied by nine hearts; the second quarter contains two lions passant...
surrounded by the Orders of the Elephant
Order of the Elephant
The Order of the Elephant is the highest order of Denmark. It has origins in the 15th century, but has officially existed since 1693, and since the establishment of constitutional monarchy in 1849, is now almost exclusively bestowed on royalty and heads of state.- History :A Danish religious...
and of Dannebrog. Side reliefs depict historical events from the first years of the reign of Frederik IV
Frederick IV of Denmark
Frederick IV was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1699 until his death. Frederick was the son of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel .-Foreign affairs:...
, including the liberation of the serfs, the founding of the dragoon
Dragoon
The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
s and of the land militia among them. The frescos in the ceiling by Hendrick Krock
Hendrick Krock
Hendrick Krock was a Danish history painter who, from 1706, was the court painter of Frederick IV as well as his successor Christian VI. Along with Benoit Le Coffre set the tone for history painting in Denmark during the 18th century-1720s, having been influenced by the Italian baroque painting he...
, represent the Regalia.
Among the main attractions of Rosenborg are the coronation chair 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 IVChristian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
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 an exhibition of the Crown Jewels
Crown jewels
Crown jewels are jewels or artifacts of the reigning royal family of their respective country. They belong to monarchs and are passed to the next sovereign to symbolize the right to rule. They may include crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings, and other objects...
and the Danish Crown Regalia
Danish Crown Regalia
Danish Crown Regalia are the symbols of the Danish monarchy. They consist of three crowns, a sceptre , an orb , a sword of state and an ampulla....
located in the castle. A Coronation Carpet
Coronation Carpet
The Coronation Carpet is a Persian carpet owned by the Danish Royal Family. It is stored at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen. According to the Royal Danish Collections, the carpet was made in Isfahan in the 17th century. The size is 12 feet, 2 inches by 17 feet, 1 inch...
is also stored there. 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 in the centre of Copenhagen, and attract an estimated 2.5 million visitors every year. Next to the castle are barracks where the Royal Life GuardsDen Kongelige Livgarde
The Royal Life Guards is an infantry regiment of the Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. It serves in two roles: as a front line combat unit, and as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy...
is garrisoned. The Life Guard guards the castle.