Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg rises from three islands in a lake at Hillerod, a soaring red-brick and copper Dutch Renaissance palace built by King Christian IV, the grandest in Scandinavia. Now the Museum of National History, its richly decorated halls, chapel and portrait galleries tell the story of Denmark, set off by formal baroque gardens across the water.

Background

Before the present palace, Herluf Trolle built a manor house here in the 1540s, and Frederick II acquired the Hillerødsholm Estate from the Trolle couple through an exchange in 1550. From that time survive Herluf Trolle's Tower of c.1560 on Staldgade and a lakeside wall with two round towers of 1562 bearing Frederick II's motto. The old building was pulled down in 1599, and Hans van Steenwinckel the Elder planned the new one, which his sons Hans and Lorenz finished after he died in 1601. The four-storey main building was ready around 1610, and work on the Chapel went on until 1618. After a fire in 1859 the castle was rebuilt from old plans and paintings.

Source: Wikipedia, "Frederiksborg Castle"

What's there

• The palace - the ornate red-brick Renaissance palace on its lake islands.
• The great hall and chapel - the lavish state rooms and the coronation chapel.
• The national history collection - the portraits and history of Denmark.
• The baroque garden - the terraced formal garden across the lake.

When to go

Summer for the gardens in bloom and the lake setting; the palace and museum are worthwhile year-round. A clear day flatters the reflections.

Practical notes

It is a large museum as well as a palace, so allow time for the halls and galleries. The baroque garden is across the lake, a walk from the palace. It is an easy train trip from Copenhagen, paired well with Kronborg.

Nearby

Kronborg Castle is nearby on the coast; Copenhagen is a short train ride south.

Key facts