Kronborg Castle, Renaissance castle in Helsingør, Denmark.
Kronborg Castle is a palace in Helsingør, Denmark, sitting on a small peninsula that juts into the water. The light sandstone facades enclose a rectangular courtyard while towers rise at the corners and trace the outline against the sky above the sea.
King Eric VII ordered the fortress Krogen built in 1420 to control ships passing through the sound. King Frederick II began transforming it into a Renaissance residence in 1574, completing the work in 1585 and turning the military site into a royal home.
The name comes from Kronborg, meaning crown fortification, reflecting its position guarding the sound. Visitors today witness theatrical performances in the courtyard where actors bring to life the connection between the historic structure and the Danish prince's drama.
The visit covers several floors with steep stairs and long corridors, so comfortable shoes help. The casemates below ground level stay cool and dark, even in summer a light jacket makes sense.
Deep in the casemates beneath the structure sits the statue of Ogier the Dane, a legendary warrior said to sleep until his country faces its greatest need. The figure has a long beard that over the years has grown into the stone table where he rests.
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