Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TO BE OR NOT TO BE
Shakespeare's Hamlet(1602) is set in Kronborg Slot in Helsingør ('Elsinore'). Despite the
vividness of the play, the Bard had never set foot in Denmark. It's possible that he gleaned
details of the imposing new castle from a group of English players who performed in
Helsingør in 1585, the year that Kronborg was completed. Shakespeare also included two
actual Danish noblemen, Frederik Rosenkrantz and Knud Gyldenstierne (Guildenstern),
who visited the English court in the 1590s.
Although the remaining characters are based on a story that was 800 years old in
Shakespeare's time, audiences were utterly convinced of the play's authenticity. English
merchants trading in Helsingør would visit the castle out of respect for Hamlet: so many
visitors wanted to know where the indecisive Dane was buried that 'Hamlet's grave' was
built in the grounds of Marienlyst Slot.
Each August the castle plays host to the Shakespeare Festival, which sees some of the
world's leading theatre ensembles perform a selection of Shakespeare's works in Kron-
borg's courtyard. Check
www.hamletscenen.dk
to see what's coming up.
Sleeping
Danhostel Helsingør
HOSTEL
495/550/595; )
This 180-bed hostel is based in a coastal manor house 2km northwest of town, on a little
beach looking directly across to Sweden. The run-of-the-mill dorms are in one of the smal-
ler attached buildings. Facilities include a self-catering kitchen, small playground and out-
door ping-pong tables to keep kids amused. From Helsingør, bus 842 (Dkr24) will get you
there.
Helsingør Camping
CAMPGROUND
Dkr70/35, cabin with bathroom Dkr850;
year-round)
