Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kronborg fell upon more bad luck during the Danish-Swedish wars, with the Swedes
occupying the castle from 1658 to 1660 and looting everything of value, including its fam-
ous fountain. Following the Swedish attack, Christian V bulked up Kronborg's defences,
but the Danish royals gave up trying to make the castle a home. The building became a
barracks from 1785 until 1924, when it became a museum (the Swedish government sport-
ingly returning some looted items). Although it costs to enter the interior, you can cross
several swan-filled moats and walk into the dramatic courtyard free of charge, or make a
circumnavigation of the castle's mighty sea barriers (open daily until sunset) - a good pic-
nic spot.
Royal Apartments
The Royal Apartments are rather empty today: the king's and queen's chambers, for ex-
ample, have little in them but marble fireplaces, a few sticks of furniture, and some lavish
ceiling paintings, although occasional modern-art exhibitions add an interesting dimen-
sion. The most impressive room is the ballroom, the longest in Scandinavia when it was
built in 1585. Banquets held here consisted of 65 courses, and each guest was given their
own vomiting bucket. Seven of the tapestries that originally adorned the walls - in excel-
lent condition, and with interesting explanations alongside - can be seen in the adjoining
Little Hall.
Casements
The chilly, low-ceilinged dungeon, which also served as storerooms and soldiers' quar-
ters, stretches underneath a surprisingly large area of the castle. It's suitably dark and
creepy, although you'll make better sense of its empty rooms if you read up on barracks
life before heading downwards. Delights include nesting bats, and a statue of the Viking
chief Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane), who, legend says, will wake and come to Den-
mark's aid in its hour of need.
M/S Museet for Søfart
MUSEUM
Dkr110/free; 10am-5pm daily Jul & Aug, 11am-5pm Tue-Sun rest of yr)
Ingeniously built in and around a dry dock beside Kronborg Slot, Denmark's subterranean
Maritime Museum merits a visit as much for its design as for its enlightened, multimedia
galleries. The latter explore Denmark's maritime history and culture in dynamic, contem-
