I am a sucker for medieval age castles and Europe is the perfect place to find them. Located in the town of Helsingor, the Kronborg castle made Denmark a super power of the Baltic Sea. Along with the fortress at Helsingborg, it allowed the Danish king control over the entrance to the Baltic Sea. This castle is also the place where Shakespeare set his famous drama Hamlet in. He called the castle Elsinore which is now the English name for the town it is located in. The castle is now one of UNESCO’s heritage sites.
The castle first origins can be traced to an early 15th century fortress built by Eric of Pomerania. Frederick II had it made into a magnificent castle from 1574-85. The Kronborg Castle is a showcase of the power and architecture of medieval Europe. With strong ramparts and bastions, the imposing structure of the castle is divided into three wings. The 1629 fire destroyed much of the castle. It was followed by the capture of the Fort by Swedish King Carl Gustaf in 1658 but it has been restored to it’s former glory since then.
What to see?
It houses the largest Ballroom in Northern Europe with a size of more than 60 metres. A canopy of purple would overhang the king with gold and silver threads while wood cravings and brass chandeliers adorned the walls. Frederick II ordered a series of tapestries to be woven
depicting the life of the Kings of Denmark. 7 out of the 43 tapestries can now be found in the Little Hall. These royal tapestries used to drape the walls of the Ballroom when the King used to hold his events. A statue of mythical hero Holger Danske also is found in the castle. The statue depicts the typical Viking lineage of the country. Broad shouldered, long haired, bearded with a sword resting on his lap. There is nothing as majestic as this.
What to do?
The castle hosts three guided tours. The first one The Casemate takes you through the dank bowels of the castle. In Hamlet’s Footsteps is a recreation of the Bard’s famous play as Horatio becomes your guide and takes you through a 45 minute tour. The glory of medieval Europe is displayed to it’s truest form. A dreamy sequence that you will remember for a lifetime. A Day for the Royal Housekeeper showcases the best of the Nordic culture of that era. The Castle also hosted a Renaissance fair from Oct 16-22 and will host a winter market in early December.
How to get there?
The castle is about an hour’s drive along the Danish Riviera’s coast from the capital city Copenhagen. You can also take a train from Copenhagen Central Station or a ferry from Sweden’s Helsingor Castle
Ticket prices are for 90 DKK for Adults
Timings: 10AM-5:30PM in summers and from 11AM-4PM in autumns and winters.
Image Credits: Visit Denmark, Explore Kronborg Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
While travelling from Copenhagen, do check out Cafe Flottenheimer.