Rosenborg Castle, Renaissance castle in central Copenhagen, Denmark.
Rosenborg Castle is a structure with three floors of elaborately decorated rooms, Dutch-influenced architectural details, and four corner towers topped with spires. The building displays symmetrical proportions and brick walls that characterize its Renaissance design.
King Christian IV commissioned the building in 1606 as a summer retreat and oversaw multiple expansions until completion around 1624. The structure thus developed over roughly two decades into a symbol of royal authority.
The Knights Hall displays coronation thrones adorned with walrus ivory and silver lion sculptures that reflect royal power. These artworks remain central to how visitors understand Danish monarchy and its enduring traditions.
The castle is open daily and visitors are best served arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon when crowds are lighter. The rooms spread across multiple levels, so comfortable shoes and ample time for exploration are recommended.
The basement vaults hold the Danish Crown Jewels, including four complete sets of ornaments featuring diamonds, rubies, pearls, and emeralds. These treasures lie beneath the floors where visitors walk and represent some of the most precious possessions of the Danish state.
Location: Copenhagen Municipality
Inception: 1606
Architects: Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
Elevation above the sea: 7 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 København K
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
Website: https://kongernessamling.dk/rosenborg
GPS coordinates: 55.68566,12.57748
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00
Castles and palaces from different periods and regions reveal how architecture adapted to military needs, royal ambitions, or religious purposes. Some were built as fortresses, others served as residences or symbols of power. Construction styles range from medieval defenses to grand estates of later centuries. Each structure carries the mark of its time and its builders. This collection includes places such as Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, and the Alhambra in Granada. It also features Himeji Castle in Japan, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and Prague Castle. Some sites stand on cliffs or in mountains, others lie in river valleys or near towns. Visiting them shows how defense, living space, and display came together in one building.
Copenhagen brings together centuries of history with recent construction in a walkable city by the water. Nyhavn lines the harbor with narrow houses painted in strong colors, where wooden ships dock beside outdoor cafes. The Little Mermaid sits on a rock at the edge of the sound, a bronze figure that has drawn visitors since the early 20th century. Christiansborg Palace rises near the old city center, while Amalienborg forms a royal residence around an octagonal plaza. The Opera House stands across the harbor with a flat, cantilevered roof, and The Black Diamond adds a modern glass facade to the Royal Library. Further out, The Blue Planet aquarium curves along the coast in Ørestad, and the VM Houses show angular residential design in the same district. Parks and gardens spread across the city, offering green space and different moods. The Botanical Garden collects plants from around the world under glass domes and in open beds. Superkilen Park stretches through the Nørrebro neighborhood with colored surfaces and objects gathered from many countries. King's Garden surrounds Rosenborg Castle with tree-lined paths and lawns where people sit in warm weather. Assistens Cemetery lies quiet among the streets, used both as a burial ground and a place to walk. Tivoli Gardens mixes rides, stages, and flower beds in the center of the city. Strøget runs as a long pedestrian street through the old town. Freetown Christiania remains a self-governed neighborhood with painted buildings and its own rules. Dragør preserves old fishing cottages and cobblestones just outside the capital.
Statens Museum for Kunst
366 m
Rosenborg Castle Gardens
120 m
University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden
267 m
Danish Natural History Museum
195 m
Geologisk Museum
198 m
Reformed Church
258 m
Hans Christian Andersen
259 m
Østervold Observatory
168 m
Chronologische Sammlung der Dänischen Könige
143 m
Sølvgade Barracks
251 m
Hercules Pavilion
196 m
The Danish Music Museum
266 m
KFUM-borgen
267 m
Holmblad House
249 m
Livgardens Historiske Samling
157 m
Rosenborggade 19
243 m
Two resting lions
60 m
Åbenrå 26
269 m
Lion and Horse
187 m
Caroline Amalie
75 m
Little Gunver
88 m
The Boy with the Swan
167 m
A Moment of Peril
211 m
Discobolus in Copenhagen Botanical Garden
232 m
Gothersgade 89
259 m
Georg Brandes
196 m
Tycho Brahe
142 m
Kommandantboligen
88 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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