Europe · Denmark · Zealand
Kronborg Castle
The story
History of Kronborg Castle
Helsingør's sea gate, rebuilt by Christian IV in Dutch Renaissance style and immortalised as Elsinore in Hamlet.
Denmark · Zealand · Renaissance
- Built
- from 1420
- Era
- Renaissance
- Style
- Renaissance
- Country
- Denmark
- Region
- Zealand
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site
- Coordinates
- 56.039, 12.621
In depth
The fuller history
The captain of every ship sailing through the strait had to state the value of ship's cargo. Money that had to be paid to the King of Denmark, called Sound Dues, was then calculated depending on the value of the cargo. The king had the right to buy the cargo for the price the ship's captain stated. This policy prevented captains from stating prices that were too low. The Royal Danish Army left the castle in 1923, and after a thorough renovation it was opened to the public in 1938.
Key dates
- 1574From 1574 to 1585, King Frederick II had the medieval fortress radically transformed into a magnificent Renaissance castle.
- 1577The main architect was the Flemish architect Hans Hendrik van Paesschen and the fortification works were completed in 1577.
- 1618The walls are hung with a series of large paintings which were originally made from 1618 to 1631 for the Great Hall of Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.
- 1658In 1658, Kronborg was besieged and captured by the Swedes, who took many of its valuable art treasures as war booty.
- 1785In 1785, the castle ceased to be a royal residence and was converted into barracks for the Army.
- 1923The Royal Danish Army left the castle in 1923, and after a thorough renovation it was opened to the public in 1938.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
Tips & experiences
Been here? Leave a note for the next visitor.
Loading tips…