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CHRISTIANSBORG

Copenhagen, Denmark

Christiansborg, Copenhagen, Denmark

It is arguable whether Christiansborg – more properly a palace than a castle – counts when considering Danish Castles. But for most of its existence it was a fortified structure and in Danish it is referred to as Christiansborg Slot – slot being the word for Castle and also some remnants of the earlier genuine castles do exist inside today’s palace.

The earliest castle – which his the one which has some remaining stonework inside the palace – is known as Absalon’s Castle and was built by Bishop Absalon of Roskilde around 1167. For a while the Castle and City of Copenhagen was owned by the Bishops of Roskilde, but it became the subject of a bitter feud between the Church and the Danish Royal family. Whilst this feud was going on Wend pirates and Hanseatic sailors frequently attacked the Castle. In the 1250s it was occupied and plundered.

In 1369 after a conflict with the unpopular King Valdemar IV, the Hanseatic League sent 40 stonemasons to demolish the Castle stone-by-stone. They did this, but left enough that some remains exist today.

In the years following this demolition a new castle – referred to as Copenhagen Castle – was built on the site. It was still the property of the Bishops of Roskilde until Erik of Pomerania finally took the rights to the Castle in 1417. From that point onwards the Castle remained in Royal hands and from the mid-15th Century it also became the seat of the Danish parliament.

The Castle was rebuilt numerous times but when Frederik IV came to the throne he decided the time was right to demolish the cold and draughty castle and build a new palace. Work began in 1733 and was largely completed by 1745. Unfortunately a fire destroyed most of it in 1794. The second palace was started in 1803 and completed in 1828 – by which time Frederick VI decided he didn’t want to live in the castle after all and so it became used as a place for entertaining guests. This building burned down in 1884 and it stayed ruined for some long while.

It wasn’t until the early 20th Century that a competition was launched to design the third Christiansborg Palace. It was won by Thorvald Jørgensen and work started in 1907 and was completed by 1928. Despite its ancient appearance, it uses very modern techniques inside such as reinforced concrete with granite facades. The new palace was designed to accommodate both the Royal Family, the parliament and the main judiciary. In reality the Royal Family only use it for ceremonial purposes and the Palace is today most used by the Danish Parliament and judicial system.

During construction of this newest palace ruins of the two medieval castles were found and were left open to the public as part of an exhibition, which they still are today. Guided tours are available of parts of the palace which is one of Copenhagen’s best known buildings.

Back to Castles of Denmark

Back to Castles of Denmark


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2018


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