Kronborg Castle

Helsingør,
Copenhagen
The Islands
Denmark
49-213078

http://www.kronborg.dk

Type: Sightseeing
Cost: Admission is 40 kr/$6.80

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Kronborg is today one of the most impressive Renaissance castles in northern Europe. It was built on the ruins of on old castle named Krogen, constructed by the union king, Erik of Pomerania, in the 15th century to control the traffic in and out of the Baltic Sea. All ships passing through the Øresund sound had to pay tolls and a bigger and better fortress equipped with canons was needed, both to attack the ships that tried to sail through without paying and also for protection against the opposition , which mostly consisted of the Hanseatic League.

The new castle was completed at the end of the 17th century by King Frederik II and named Kronborg after a castle in Belgium called Cronenburg. The toll continued until well into the 19th century despite strong opposition from other countries. One of the most devastating attacks came in 1658 when Sweden conquered Kronborg and plundered most of the valuables inside (they were kept when the castle was returned to Denmark two years later). Today, Kronborg is mostly known as Hamlet’s castle from Shakespeare’s play. Exactly why the English writer chose this castle is uncertain but one theory is that some of his actor-friends used to perform for King Fredrik II at the castle.

In the guided tours, offered in English, you will learn more about the history and about how tough it was to live here, not for the kings of course, but for the hundreds of servants and other employees who worked long hours at the castle with food and accommodation as their only payment. They still had a good life compared to all the prisoners here and walking through the dungeons in the basement is a thrilling experience on the tour.