Frederiksborg Castle: From Royal Residence to Historical Museum

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Photo: Daniel Rasmussen, Copenhagen Media Center

Christian IV’s Renaissance castle, Frederiksborg Castle, with its elegant gables, rich decorations, and copper roofs, surpassed anything seen before in the Nordic region.

In 1560, Frederik II acquired the castle estate called Hillerødsholm, which he transformed into a hunting lodge after several renovations, naming it Frederiksborg after himself. In 1577, his son, Christian IV, was born at Frederiksborg Castle. In 1602, Christian IV ordered most of the old buildings to be demolished to begin construction of the current castle.

Spread Across Three Islands

The castle is situated on three small islands on the western side of the castle lake (Slotssøen). On the northernmost island stands the main castle, consisting of three wings: the northern King’s Wing with the royal apartments, the western Church Wing with the chapel and the grand banquet hall, and the eastern Princess Wing. The southern side of the courtyard is enclosed by a low gatehouse and a grand entrance.

On the middle island, two identical buildings were constructed: Slotsherrens Hus, where the castle governor lived, and the Chancellor’s House, which housed government offices. To the south, a large gate tower was erected. On the southernmost island, buildings from Frederik II’s era were left intact, and a curved S-shaped bridge connected this island to the rest of the castle. The entire project was completed in 1625, with Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger as the final architect.

The King’s Power Expressed Through Architecture

The castle is built in the Dutch Renaissance style, featuring red brick walls, curved gables, light sandstone decorations, and copper-clad roofs and spires. However, Christian IV also retained traditional Danish architectural elements, such as exterior stair towers. The king’s authority was symbolized by triumphal arches and portals, while the many spires represented the royal scepter.

A Storied History

In 1659, the castle was captured by the Swedes, who took most of its furnishings as spoils of war. Two hundred years later, in 1859, the castle was devastated by a massive fire. It was rebuilt by architect Ferdinand Meldahl between 1860 and 1884, with financial support from notable figures, including brewer J.C. Jacobsen. During this time, the castle also became home to a national history museum, which remains open to visitors today.

In the mid-1990s, the Agency for Culture and Palaces restored the original Baroque garden, which had been designed between 1720 and 1725 by the renowned landscape artist Johan Cornelius Krieger.