Rosenborg Palace & Kongens Have, Copenhagen

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Rosenborg castle is a small renaissance palace situated in the middle of Kongens Have. It was built in 1606 as a royal summerhouse for Christian IV, (although a number of additions were made until 1624) and was used as a royal residence until about 1710. The castle then became the setting for the Royal Collections, as it has remained until this day, which include costumes, artworks, furniture and in particular the Crown Jewels and Regalia which are housed in a special exhibition beneath the castle.

Entry is 80kr, see the website for opening times.

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The oldest park in Denmark, Kongens Have was laid out when Christian IV commissioned the building of Rosenborg Castle in 1634. Some parts of the original Renaissance garden are intact. The 18th century brought several lovely lime tree-lined paths; while the 19th century saw the park re-landscaped according to English ideals. Several sculptures adorn corners of the park including one of Hans Christian Andersen, who, it is said, found inspiration for his fairytales here. The gardens are open until sunset.

The avenues of trees must look lovely at any time of year, but in the winter of 2005, covered with snow, they took on a particular magical quality.

Update: The park is indeed lovely in summer, and is one of my favourite places to go and sit in the sun after work!

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This Castle has so much to see on the inside!

I was seeing Royal collections of King Christian IV, historical artefacts, beautiful furniture that you don't see today! On the walls were giant tapestries, I should think, very valuable .
There is decorative art, furniture and fashion garments plus personal belongings, belonging to Royal members. Some of the rooms were King Christian VI's rooms, these had tapestries displaying the life of Alexander the Great. Most of the furniture is original. The Throne room was marvellous. These were the Throne's of the Danish Kings and Queens between 1671 to 1840. The Kings throne was made from pure narwhal tusk in 1662 and both thrones are placed in the Great Hall with the symbolic silver lions in front.

This Castle was one of those "wow" moments for me!

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We came here to see the Royal guards marching, as the crowds are smaller here. As it turned out, the day was quite wet, so I managed a few photo's of them before they began their parade, and then ducked for cover in the Castle!

The Royal Guard was founded in 1658. The Royal Guards not only protect the Crown Jewels, they also protect the Royal Family wherever they reside in Denmark. Just next to Rosenborg Castle is the barrack and drill ground of the Royal Guards, which was established around 1730 during the reign of King Frederik IV.
The Royal Guards march from Rosenborg Castle at 11:30 am to the present Royal residence Amalienborg Palace, where the Guards exercise the ceremonial changing of the guards at 12:00.

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The Castle is A MUST SEE when in Copenhagen.

This majestic Castle has stood tall since it was built for King Christian IV in the beginning of the 17th century. Christian IV used Rosenborg Castle as his Summer house. It was remodelled now and then, the last time in 1624, and this is how it stands today.
Here it is situated next to Kongens Have (King’s Garden) where it was possible for the regents to take a walk and "get away" from the daily decision making.

Rosenborg Castle is now a wonderful museum, with the main theme ‘the Danish King’s History through 300 years, from Christian IV to Frederik VII’. The King had a total of 23 children with different wives and women outside his marriage.
The museum also holds the Danish Crown Jewels, the coronation chair which was used by the King, and the throne of the Queens with the silver lions in front, a must visit in the Castle.

The main entrance to Rosenborg Castle is guarded by two soldiers from the Royal Guard, dressed in regular Danish Military green uniform.

ADMISSION IN 2012....80Dkk
Make sure you include admission to the Treasury.

FREE ENTRY WITH COPENHAGEN CARD

YOUR ALLOWED TO TAKE PHOTO'S IF YOU PAY THE FEE OF 20DKK ON ENTRY
I would advise to do this as there will lots you want photo's of.

Check for entry times on the website as they vary throughout the year.

Reaching here is easy. We came by Train to Nørreport, and then walked.
S - trains, Metro, Regional

Bus lines Nørreport
14, 42, 43, 184, 185, 5A, 6A, 173E, 150S, 350S

In my next few reviews, I will show and tell you a little more about the Castle.

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In 1838 Rosenborg Castle was opened as a museum to the public with the Royal Crown Jewel's and the Danish Crown Regalia kept safely in the castle cellars.
In 1854, the last Oldenburg King Frederik VII agreed with the state that the collection was to become entailed property passed on from King to King. Now, we were able to see this brilliant collection of gold that glitters!
It is an outstanding collection, one that is a MUST SEE!

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The Castle is situated in The King's Garden the oldest royal garden, also known as "Rosenborg Castle Garden".

The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and used by Danish regents as a Royal residence up to 1710.

The castle is open to the public for tours and houses a museum exhibiting the Royal Collections.

Opening Hours:

May 1 - May 31 10am - 4pm
Jun. 1 - Aug. 31 10am - 5pm
Sep. 1 - Oct. 31 10am - 4pm
Nov. 1 - Dec. 21 Castle 11am - 2pm

Adults 80 kr.
Children (0-17 years) Free admision

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Rosenborg Slot (Rosenborg Castle) was built in the years 1606-1634 as a royal summer residence of King Christian IV. The King designed the castle himself and lived here until he died in 1648. The castle was passed to his son, King Frederik III, who carried out several modernisations. The last King to reside at the castle was King Frederik IV, who lived from 1699 to 1730.

In 1838, Rosenborg Slot was opened as a museum to the public, and today the castle houses the Royal Danish Collections of interiors, portraits and handicrafts from the Kings of the House of Oldenborg (1448->1863). (Artefacts from the Kings of the House of Glücksborg (1863->today) are exhibited at the Amalienborg Palace Museum). In my opinion, Rosenborg Slot is the most interesting and beautiful castle in the centre of Copenhagen. Especially the Knights’ Hall (the Long Hall) is quite impressing, but also the Treasury in the castle cellars - with the royal crown jewels - is worth a visit.

Around the castle Kongens Have (King’s Gardens) (or Rosenborg Have (Rosenborg Castle Gardens)) is located. It is the country's oldest royal garden and was established in the Renaissance style by King Christian IV in 1606. The Gardens opened for public in the 1770s and it was here Georg Carstensen established his first Tivoli Garden (now moved to another location). Today, Kongens Have is home to a large herbaceous border, a rose-garden, old beautiful pavilions, and several different-sized sculptures (for example Hans Christian Andersen and Queen Caroline Amalie).

In the summer season the garden is the setting for various musical and theatrical events - including a puppet theatre for children. Kongens Have is a very popular retreat for locals - and estimated 3 million people visits the garden every year. This is a great place for a walk, a picnic or to enjoy a couple of beers. Kongens Have is normally open until sunset, but check their webpage for exact opening hours.

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The Royal Gardens were built in renaissance style in front of Rosenborg Castle.

High temperature, sunny day and some free time to relax, what better choice of relaxing in park?

King’s Garden (Kongens Have) is a beautiful urban park that was created in 1606 and is very popular among locals and tourists with more than 2,5 millions visitors annually! We saw many locals, couples, people that just strolling around or walking their dogs but most of them seemed to enjoy the sun although it was weird to see people with beach clothes doing sunbathing :) A lot of green everywhere of course it’s a big area of lawns after all but also small fountains, some statues and a small area for puppet show that kids always love.

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Rosenborg Castle (Rosenburg Slot) was built in 1624 in dutch renaissance style. It is in the centre of Copenhagen but it was originally built (in 1606) as a summerhouse. The royal family used it for residence until 1710 and then only for some “red alert” situations like the big fire in 1794 and 7 years later during the british attack. Of course at the same time the Danish people just had to survive in their small little houses while the royals were enjoying the luxurious grande castle which is another fine example of so many architectural projects that King Christian IV created.
In our days (actually since 1838) is a museum that houses the Royal Collections.

Although the palace is 400 years old a lot of the things you see today are from later periods like the stucco ceiling at the Long Hall is from 18th century. Of course most of the visitors come to check, admire and feel jealous about the crown jewels. As expected you can see the comfortable beds that the royals used to sleep, items they used, some kitch decoration, thrones, chairs, huge tables, tapestries etc By the way the museum is arranged in chronologically order so you may follow the history of the Danish royal family (if you are really interested).

There are not info signs to check you you’re looking at but you can buy an extra guide book for 25DKK. The entrance fee is 75DKK + extra 20DKK if you want to take pictures! (interesting to see this strategy away from Egypt...hm...)

My suggestion is to skip the castle, enjoy for free the royal gardens and then head to the National Gallery which is a lot more interesting than the castle.