Slotsholmen, Copenhagen

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Museet Kongelige Stalde og Kareter (The Royal Stables and Carriages Museum) is located in one of the two wings that remain from the original Christiansborg Palace. The museum contains a collection of royal state coaches from the middle of the 18th century to the end of the 19th century. You can also visit the stables and horses are still kept there, but the number of horses has dropped from 270 horses in the late 18th century to about 20 horses today.

The royal horses are trained daily on the Ridebanen (the Riding Ground). I’m pretty sure it is in the morning, but don’t know the exact time. Be careful not stepping in a 'horse dropping' if you decide to walk across the riding grounds... On the riding ground complex another equestrian statue is situated. It is a monument to King Christian IX and was unveiled in 1927.

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Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) and the Royal Reception Rooms, and is the fifth castle constructed on the very same spot where Bishop Absalon (founder of Copenhagen) in 1167 built the first castle. The present Christiansborg Palace was built in stages during 1907-1928, and is built in neo-baroque style with concrete and granite facades. The spire is 104 metres tall and is one of the tallest in the city. Beneath Christiansborg Palace you can visit the ruins of the two first castles on the site (Absalon's Castle and Copenhagen Castle).

In front of the palace, a statue of King Frederik VII is located. The statue was erected on the 65th anniversary of the King’s birth, October 6, 1873.

The area around the Palace is called Slotsholmen (the Castle Island) and is an island surrounded by a nearly 2 km long canal with eight bridges. Slotsholmen is much more than Christiansborg Palace. Other interesting places are the old riding ground, Christiansborg Palace Chapel, Royal Library and Thorvaldsens Museum. (Read also my few other tips about Slotsholmen).

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The first Christiansborg Slotskirke (Christiansborg Palace Chapel) was constructed during the years from 1738 to 1742, but when Christiansborg Palace burnt to the ground in 1794, the Chapel was also destroyed. In 1813, it was rebuilt – with reuse of the existing foundations – and over the years the Chapel has housed several weddings and other important ceremonies in the Danish Royal Family.

On June 7, 1992, the Palace Chapel was destroyed by fire again; roof and dome were burnt down, and all inventories were severely damaged. Again the Chapel was rebuilt and was inaugurated on January 14, 1997.

I don’t think the Chapel look much from outside, but it is really beautiful inside and the latest rebuilt has been awarded with several prizes. Next to the waiting room is a small exhibition about the latest fire and rebuilt of the Chapel.

It is a tradition that a service at Christiansborg Palace Chapel is a part of the opening of the Parliament every year.

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Teatermuseet (The Theatre Museum at the Court Theatre) is located on the Christiansborg riding ground and was founded in 1912 by private theatre enthusiasts. In 1922 the museum moved into King Christian VII's Court Theatre. The old theatre opened in 1767, but a tragic fire in a Vienna theatre showed how dangerous it was to use an old theatre (which was lit by candle lights), and the Court Theatre was closed in 1881.

You have access to all areas of the theatre, the auditorium, the galleries and the stage, and I found the old Court Theatre to be very fascinating. Besides the Court Theatre there are exhibitions of the history of Danish-language theatre from the 18th century and until today. Most of the exhibition consists of drawings, paintings and photographs, but in my opinion it was nothing special – and I don't know how interesting the Danish-language theatre is unless you have strong feelings for the Danish theatre...

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The island is home to Denamrk's Government and a number of historical sites and facilities. The island is linked to the city by a series of bridges and the most prominent feature is the Christiansborg Slot, a neobaroque palace. There is a courtyard which was used a miltary riding ground and still has that appearance. A statute of King Christian IX sits astride his horse looking across the parade ground.

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Slotsholm island - "Palace island" is the center of political life of Denmark.
The monument of king Frederik VII is installed on Christiansborg Slotsplads.