Frederiksborg Castle

A Renaissance Masterpiece Built for Majesty

Frederiksborg Castle stands as the largest Renaissance residence in Scandinavia, a testament to the ambition and power of King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway. Built between 1560 and 1630, the castle replaced an earlier hunting lodge and became the principal royal residence of the Danish crown. The main four-storey building with its three wings was completed around 1610, with work continuing on the chapel until 1618. This extraordinary accomplishment—constructing such a vast complex in under a decade—showcased the architectural prowess and resources of the Danish monarchy during the height of the Renaissance period. The castle's distinctive red-brick facades, finely sculpted sandstone details, slender towers, and jagged gables reflect a uniquely Nordic interpretation of French Renaissance design. Its location on three small islets in the Slotssøen (Castle Lake) was revolutionary for Danish castle-building: Frederiksborg was the first Danish castle constructed inland rather than on the coast, and the first built purely for recreational purposes rather than defence. This inland location spurred the development of vastly improved roads, initially reserved exclusively for the king.

The Chapel: A Survivor of Fire and Time

While a devastating fire in 1859 destroyed much of the castle's interior, the Chapel emerged largely unscathed, preserving its original decoration from Christian IV's era. This sacred space remains the best-preserved Renaissance room in the complex and houses treasures of extraordinary significance. The Chapel's most remarkable artifact is the Compenius organ, built in 1610 by Esajas Compenius and installed shortly before his death in Hillerød in 1617. With 1,001 wooden pipes and richly decorated with ebony, ivory, and silver, it remains the oldest organ in Denmark, its original manually-driven bellows still preserved. The Chapel's altarpiece, crafted in 1606 by Hamburg goldsmith Jacob Mores, features gold, silver, and ebony work of exceptional artistry. From 1660 to 1848, Danish kings were anointed within these walls, and to this day, the Chapel serves as the ceremonial chapel for the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Dannebrog. It has also been the site of significant historical events, including the signing of the Treaty of Frederiksborg. The Chapel's galleries, decorated during the reign of Frederick III (1648–1670), display grisaille frescoes of Biblical figures painted in the 1690s, creating an atmosphere of profound historical reverence.

The Museum of National History and Artistic Treasures

Since 1878, Frederiksborg Castle has housed the Museum of National History, established by J. C. Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. The museum presents 500 years of Danish history through an exceptional collection of portraits, history paintings, furniture, and applied art. The castle contains the largest and most significant collection of Danish royal portraits anywhere, with new works continually added to the collection. Visitors encounter the Marble Gallery of the King's Wing, the grand Audience Hall—the oldest preserved Baroque room in Denmark, completed in 1689—and numerous chambers filled with paintings depicting pivotal moments in Danish history, including works from the Three Years War period (1848–1850). The castle's interior spaces showcase the opulence and symbolism of royal power. The impressive Neptune Fountain and elaborate decorative elements throughout the complex were designed to demonstrate Christian IV's status as a powerful European monarch. The King's Oratory contains artwork dating to around 1870, while portrait galleries adorn walls throughout the castle, creating a visual narrative of Danish royal lineage and political history.

The Baroque Garden: Symmetry and Landscape Beauty

The castle's picturesque Baroque garden, designed by architect J. C. Krieger in 1725, represents one of Denmark's finest formal garden achievements. Created to follow the main axis of the castle with a long perspective extending into the landscape, the garden features four terraces on a hillside, symmetrical parterres with royal monograms executed in boxwood, and festive cascades. Though altered over subsequent centuries, the garden was meticulously restored to its original 1725 design in 1996, allowing visitors to experience the formal elegance as envisioned during the reign of Frederik IV. The garden contrasts beautifully with the romantic landscape garden on the opposite side of Castle Lake, which features wild forest, winding streams, and Frederik II's Bath House Castle from 1580. Walking through these gardens offers peaceful respite and exceptional views of the castle's red-brick silhouette reflected in the water—a vista particularly stunning when viewed from across the lake in Hillerød.

Restoration and Contemporary Significance

Following the catastrophic 1859 fire, J. C. Jacobsen undertook the monumental task of restoring Frederiksborg Castle to its original appearance. This restoration transformed the castle into a cultural institution rather than a royal residence, preserving it as a museum for future generations. Today, the castle remains open year-round, welcoming visitors to explore its magnificent staterooms, halls, and the Danish National Portrait Gallery. The castle continues to serve ceremonial functions, with Danish kings and queens still anointed in the Chapel during coronation ceremonies, maintaining an unbroken connection to centuries of royal tradition.