Built by King Christian IV back in the early 1600's, it is typical of the Danish Renaissance style. The castles we saw in Scandinavia were all made of brick.
Another outrageous, over-the-top royal residence. This was another of those Italian / French influenced places with the unbelievable ceilings.
This is the great hall. Check out the golden lions in the left shot.
The crown jewels, hundreds of years old, used in the most recent coronation. But that was the last one, now the Prime Minister comes to the balcony of the palace and yells, "Long live the King / Queen" and that is sufficient. (no kidding - must be a cost cutting measure, the Danes are very frugal and smart with their money)
On the second row, left picture, the little golden oval boxes hold royal umbilical cords. (Ewwww!!! So much for 'smart with their money'.)
On the second row, right picture you see the elements of the coronation. You have to have the crown (above) plus the scepter and the royal orb. Check out that gigantic pink stone. the largest amethyst in existence at the time. (now it has probably plummeted to say... third - still worth a bazillion kroners)
Note the two necklaces in the center of the case. The upper is a British award given to some Danish royalty - I forget what the award is called ("Order of the Rose" maybe??), but it is the oldest necklace of its kind in existence and the British want it back. Badly. According to the guy at the museum, there was recently some very strong words from England expressing their desire for it.
The lower necklace is the highest honor given in Denmark, it is called .... wait for it ... "The Order of the Elephant" (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) No explanation for why it is called that, even looked it up on the internet - especially weird since there are no elephants in Denmark - voluntarily.
King Christian IV was quite a character, multiple wives and mistresses, fathered 26 children. Many, many evidences of him in Copenhagen even 400 years later. Ruled Denmark for 50+ years. We have been to bunches of castles but never seen anything like the pictures below.
This is the same picture from two angles. Look closely, you will see the ridges, in person it looks like an oriental fan that could be collapsed, accordion like. On one side the artist painted the woman, and on the other side the man.
This is King Christian IV in men's clothes on the left, and in drag on the right. (I told you he was quite a character!!) Probably just odd imperial dress.
On the left a magnificent wood and amber chandelier. Amber is very popular, it apparently washes up on the beaches.
On the left the ceiling is done as though they are looking down at you from a balcony. Very effective.
On the left, look at that gold & silver horse & rider. Check out how you can see our own 'Prince John' in the reflection. (okay, not intentional but cool nevertheless) Handsome boy!!
.That is a writing desk on the left. Wow!
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