Augustenborg Palace

A Baroque Masterpiece on the Baltic

Augustenborg Palace stands as one of Denmark's most complete and impressive baroque complexes, commanding a prominent position on Als Island in southern Denmark. The present palace was constructed between 1770 and 1776, replacing an earlier half-timbered manor house built in 1660–1664 by Ernest Günther, the first Duke of Augustenborg. The three-winged main building exemplifies Late Baroque architecture in full symmetry, while the surrounding red-roofed outbuildings, added from 1733 onwards, create a harmonious ensemble that overlooks the narrow waters of Augustenborg Fjord, an arm of the Baltic Sea.

The Ducal Legacy and Historical Transformations

The palace owes its name to Duchess Auguste (1633–1701) and became the seat of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, one of Denmark's most prominent noble families. Duke Christian August II, the last member of the ducal family to reside in the palace, departed in 1848 following the First Schleswig War due to his close ties with Germany. After the ducal family's departure, the palace underwent dramatic transformations: it served first as military barracks, then from 1878 as a seminary for women. In 1921, the Danish state purchased the property, converting it into a hospital in 1927–1928. For more than 80 years, significant portions functioned as a psychiatric hospital until the facility relocated to nearby Aabenraa in 2015. Today, the palace houses the Danish Agency for Agriculture, which has undertaken extensive renovations of the main building.

Gardens and Landscape Design

The palace grounds showcase exceptional landscape architecture, with the original Baroque-style garden transformed during the 19th century into an expansive landscaped park. Elegant grass terraces descend toward the fjord, framed by carefully sculpted topiary hedges and mature trees. The garden's design creates a visual illusion where the manicured landscape appears to merge seamlessly with the natural landscape beyond, a hallmark of sophisticated 18th-century estate design. Accessible trails wind through the grounds, offering visitors multiple perspectives of the palace and fjord views.

Structures and Hidden Stories

The palace complex includes several notable secondary buildings, each with distinct historical significance. The House of Prince, built in 1765 for Emil August (younger brother of Duke Frederick Christian I), served as a hermitage for the retired general until his death in 1786. The palace chapel, constructed in the Rococo style, now functions as the parish church of Augustenborg and opens to the public during summer months. Within the park grounds stands a memorial plaque beneath an ancient linden tree, marking the spot where poet Hans Christian Andersen is said to have found inspiration for some of his most celebrated fairy tales, including "The Little Match Girl." The Ice Hill, located north of the linden tree, preserves the remains of a five-meter-deep cellar constructed from large boulders, originally used to store ice blocks for the palace household during winter months.

Contemporary Access and Cultural Significance

While the main palace building remains closed to the public due to its current institutional use, the grounds and gardens are freely accessible year-round, making it an essential destination for understanding Danish ducal history and baroque architecture. The palace chapel remains open to visitors during its special opening hours when no services are scheduled. A small museum located in the gatehouse provides insight into the ducal family's history and the palace's architectural evolution. The palace gardens have hosted major cultural events, including concerts by internationally renowned artists such as Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Bryan Adams, as well as the popular family concert series "A Sunday on Als." The surrounding town of Augustenborg, with its 13 statutory listed buildings and 29 locally listed buildings, forms a protected historic preservation area that reflects the palace's dominant influence on regional development during the 18th and 19th centuries.