Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Going back through the Winter Room, head for the door to Christian's
bedroom.
Before entering, notice the little peephole in the door (used by the
king to spy on those in this room—well-camouflaged by the painting, and
more easily seen from the other side), and the big cabinet doors for Christi-
an's clothes and accessories, flanking the bedroom door (notice the hinges and
keyholes). Heading into the bedroom, you'll see paintings showingthe kingas
an old man...and as a dead man. (Christian died in this room.) In the case are
the clothes he wore at his finest hour. During a naval battle against Sweden
(1644), Christian stood directing the action when an explosion ripped across
the deck, sending him sprawling and riddling him with shrapnel. Unfazed, the
67-year-old monarch bounced right back up and kept going, inspiring his men
to carry on the fight. Christian's stubborn determination during this battle is
commemorated in Denmark's national anthem. Shrapnel put out Christian's
eye. No problem: The warrior king with a knack for heroic publicity stunts
had the shrapnel bits removed from his eye and forehead and made into ear-
rings as a gift for his mistress. The earrings hang in the case with his blood-
stained clothes (easy to miss, right side). Christian lived to be 70 and fathered
25 children (with two wives and three mistresses). Before moving on, you can
peek into Christian's private bathroom—elegantly tiled with Delft porcelain.
Proceed into the
Dark Room.
Here you'll see wax casts of royal figures.
This was the way famous and important people were portrayed back then. (If
