History of Kronborg
1400today
- Listed
- Frederik II built Kronborg in the period 1574-1585. The castle was to be both a strong fortress and a suitable home for the growing royal family.
- The big fire
- In 1629, the castle was hit by a devastating fire that destroyed most of the interior. Christian IV rebuilt his parents' old magnificent castle.
- Swedish occupation
- In 1658, Kronborg was occupied and plundered by the Swedish king, Karl 10. Gustav, during one of the many wars between Denmark and Sweden. It wasn't until 1660 that the castle was returned to Denmark after pressure from European powers.
For more than 400 years, Kronborg Castle has been a symbol of the power and wealth of the past. Here, Danish kings have held wild parties, collected duties and fought against enemies of the realm. An architectural gem located right at the entrance to the Baltic Sea.
Kronborg through time
Hooks
The time before Kronborg
In the early 15th century, Erik of Pomerania built the fortress Krogen - the foundation of what would later become Kronborg. Krogen secured Danish control over the strait and the Baltic Sea during the Kalmar Union. Denmark considered the strait to be internal waters and could control both customs and foreign access through Krogen.
Erik of Pomerania. Illustration by Albert Haelwegh, 1646.
Customs from Øresund
The king's money machine
For over 400 years - from the 1400s to 1857 - the Sound Dues were collected at Kronborg. With the castle's cannons aimed at the ships, seafarers had no choice but to pay. The customs revenue went directly into the king's coffers and financed both the castle and other royal projects.
Building a masterpiece
White walls and golden towers
Frederik II had Krogen's dilapidated fortress replaced by a brand new and impressive Renaissance castle, complete with bastions and casemates. At first, the castle was built in red stone with sandstone friezes, but Frederik II changed his mind midway through the process and ordered the facade to be encased in white sandstone from Skåne and Gotland - some of the most expensive material available - as well as reddish copper roofs and golden spires. In this way, Kronborg differed significantly from the noble red-brick estates around the country and marked the difference between king and nobility.
Hamlet moves in
Erling Eckersberg Scene from Hamlet. Act 3
Shakespeare's Castle
Stories of Kronborg's splendor, the wild parties held here and royal escapades reached all the way to London and William Shakespeare, who was inspired and chose the castle as the setting for his famous play "Hamlet", where Kronborg became Elsinore Castle.
Who is this Hamlet guy? Erling Eckersberg Scene from Hamlet. Act 3
Kronborg today
A world-class castle
Today, Kronborg Castle stands as one of Europe's best preserved Renaissance castles. In 2000, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its unique architecture, historical significance and cultural value. Restorations are still carried out with respect for the original methods from the 16th century.
HEAR ABOUT THE FIRE AT KRONBORG IN 1629
Senior researcher, curator and Bronze Age expert at the National Museum of Denmark, Poul Grinder-Hansen, talks about the fire at Kronborg in 1629.
Experience history with your whole body
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