Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle, in Copenhagen

Rosenborg Castle is a magnificent Renaissance-style palace, former royal residence that today shelters the jewels of the Danish Crown. The Copenhagen audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this building willed by King Christian IV at the beginning of the seventeenth century, favourite dwelling of the sovereign, whose interior preserves the coronation throne and sumptuous collections.

History

This magnificent castle served as a royal residence between 1633 and 1710. It is King Christian IV, king of Denmark and Norway, who decided its construction, wishing originally to build a summer house; after nearly thirty years of works, the palace of Rosenborg was completed. Become the favourite residence of the king, who chose to spend his last days there, it was official royal residence until 1710, before the court preferred other palaces to it. Denmark being today a constitutional monarchy, the royal family now resides elsewhere, at Fredensborg in winter and at Amalienborg in summer; but the decoration and the furniture of Rosenborg keep the traces of the passage of several kings of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The visit thus crosses the centuries and retraces the history of Copenhagen: you admire there the jewels of the Crown, the Great Hall and its coronation throne, a collection of porcelain and one of the finest collections of Venetian glass in the world. The exterior, of Flemish and Dutch style, is just as impressive as the interior.

What to see

Here you visit a magnificent Renaissance palace willed by Christian IV, royal residence from 1633 to 1710, with an exterior of Flemish and Dutch style; its interior preserves the jewels of the Danish Crown, the Great Hall and its coronation throne, a collection of porcelain and one of the finest collections of Venetian glass in the world. Rosenborg Castle retraces the history of Copenhagen. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Rosenborg Castle stands in the centre of Copenhagen, in the heart of the royal garden Kongens Have, reachable on foot. The visit is paying and the hours vary according to the season. It is best to enquire before coming.

Who had Rosenborg Castle built in Copenhagen?

King Christian IV, who originally wished for a summer house; completed after nearly thirty years of works, the castle became his favourite residence and official royal residence from 1633 to 1710. It today shelters the jewels of the Danish Crown, the coronation throne and precious collections of porcelain and Venetian glass.

Where is Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen?

In the centre of Copenhagen, in the heart of the royal garden Kongens Have, in Denmark.