Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg is a small, fairy-tale Renaissance castle of red brick and copper spires set in the King's Garden in central Copenhagen, built as a summer house by Christian IV. Its richly furnished rooms lead down to a treasury holding the Danish crown jewels and regalia, glittering in a vaulted basement.

Background

Building began in 1606, and after several enlargements the castle reached its present form by 1624. Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger and Bertel Lange are the architects linked to its design, which follows the Dutch Renaissance style common in Denmark at the time. Until around 1710 it served as a royal residence. The Long Hall on the third floor was finished in 1624 and was used around 1700 for receptions and banquets. Only in the second half of the 19th century did it become known as the Knight's Hall. Now state property, the castle opened to the public in 1838. The treasury holds an orb and a golden sceptre made in 1648 for the coronation of Frederick III.

Source: Wikipedia, "Rosenborg Castle"

What's there

• The crown jewels - the Danish regalia and crowns in the treasury.
• The furnished rooms - the royal chambers with thrones and tapestries.
• The Long Hall - the coronation hall with its silver lions.
• The King's Garden - the popular park around the moated castle.

When to go

Summer for the garden and the full castle; it is open year-round with the crown jewels always a draw. The garden is a lovely spot in warm weather.

Practical notes

It is compact, so the visit is an hour or two, and it can be busy around the crown jewels. The rooms are richly furnished but small. The surrounding King's Garden is free and a pleasant park in its own right.

Nearby

The city centre, Nyhavn and the botanical garden are around; the National Gallery is next door.

Key facts