Kronborg: Hamlet’s Castle
Located in the town of Helsingør in Denmark, the Kronborg Palace is one of the most important Renaissance castles that was ever built in Northern Europe and has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since (November 2000).
Kronborg Castle is the perfect day trip if you are traveling Copenhagen. It will take you 45 minutes train ride from the city Centraal Station to Elsinore Station and another 15-minute walk to the castle. My advice is to pack light and don’t bring trolley luggage because the pathway is mostly cobbled. Enjoy the walk and feel and absorb the architecture and scale of the castle.
This 15th-century castle is jaw-dropping in design and is strategically located overlooking The Sound – the body of water that separates Denmark from Sweden. The facade is richly decorated with stonewalled carvings containing several buildings within its walls including the chapel, a banquet hall, a ballroom, the king and queens chamber’s, and others.
The tour castle is such an amazing walkthrough. It never ceases to amaze me how this castle was built as a solid fortress and stood the test of time structurally. Everything about this castle is such a moment.
Coming from Southeast Asia, the only castle we’ve been to is in Disneyland and other theme park castles. Wait, is Disneyland castle valid?
Today, I’ll be sharing some of my photos taken at the castle.
Shakespear & Kronborg Castle
Aside from its amazing structure and strategic location, the castle is immortalized as the setting of William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Shakespeare used Kronborg castle as the setting of his play. Actors performed the Hamlet for the first in 1816 at Kronborg castle courtyard to commemorate Shakespeare’s 200 death anniversary. Famous actors who performed are Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, and Jude Law.
The Courtyard
Interiors
Built as a solid fortress castle, the interior decorations of the castle is not up to the other royal palaces in Copenhagen. You won’t expect to see a huge gold-coated room full of expensive decorations and fixtures. It is rather plain overall. Mainly, the reason is the castle at one time was used as a prison, was burned (parts of it), and was completely under military administration.
Design & Structure
Through the years, the Kronborg castle is a robust fortress. With all the visitors in and out and the weather decaying, the castle stood the test of time.
Tours & Activities
Adult: DKK 95 (14 USD) (720 PHP)
Adult: DKK 145 (21 USD) for June to August
Child under 18 years: Free of charge
Group (min. 10 guests): DKK 85 (no participation in the castle’s guided tour options)
Official Site: http://www.kronborg.dk/
Email: kronborg@natmus.dk
What do you think of Kronborg Castle?
Where are your top castle destinations in Europe?
I would love to hear comments and suggestions from you guys.
Thank You!
