was built on behalf of famous Danish King Christian IV in the beginning of the 17th century (early 1600). Christian IV was a driving force and man behind a lot of majestic buildings, of which you can still find the majority all over Copenhagen today.
At first Rosenborg Castle was built as a summer house for the King – outside the embankments and ramparts that once defended Copenhagen from attackers. The building then underwent a series of remodels, the latest in 1624, and it became the fine masterpiece of a castle we see today, which was used as the regents summer house until 1710. Here it is situated nicely just 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. Parties of all sorts – drinking and orgies were not held rarely, and the guests of King Christian IV was baffled by the amount of alcohol he could intake, and still be the first man awake and on with today’s business the following day.
Getting there:
We recommend walking from Nørreport Station, which lies just next to the Barracks of the Royal Guard. If you walk north from the station on the road ‘Øster Voldgade’ that will lead you direcly to the main entrance and ticket office of Rosenborg Castle.
Rosenborg Castle as a museum
– since 1838, and still open and active today, Rosenborg Castle is used as a museum, with the main theme of ‘the Danish King’s History through 300 years, from Christian IV to Frederik VII’. The tickets aren’t that expensive – and you can even buy a ticket that both goes for Rosenborg Castle Museum and for Amalienborg Castle Museum. 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 – both of these are definitely also worth the visit.
The main entrance to the Rosenborg Castle is guarded by two soldiers from the Royal Guard, however they are not in their bear-skin hat and parade uniform, but in the regular Danish Military green uniform. Every two hours their commander comes with two new guards to replace them, until the next substitution comes along a few hours later.
King Christian IV
was ruling monarch for a total of 60 years! From the legal age of 18, he underwent his coronation and became Denmark’s new King. This is the longest period a regent has been residing on the throne, and might be one of the reasons he has had such big influence on Denmark and Copenhagen in general, and that he is the most significant King of all time. He had a total of 23 kids with different wives and women outside his marriage.
Other mentionable buildings and areas you can connect to King Christian IV are among others: Børsen, Rundetårn, Christianshavn and Christiania – and ofcourse Rosenborg Castle which was the King’s favorite place to live.