#amelienborg

[magicscapes-blog]

King Frederik V

This is the equestrian statue of King Frederik V in front of Amelienborg Palace in Copenhagen 

[a-sky-full-of-star-blog]

[katieconquerscopenhagen]

Field trip time. I’ve taken more study trips here than I have my whole life. I even got to see the worlds largest container ship from the top of an early modern fortress(top right).

The next day the queen officially named the ship.

This trip was by far the most informational trip I have been on yet. My history of Copenhagen professor took us to the old Naval Houses, first constructed by Christian IV in the mid 1600s. After that we walked to the old fortress, one of the most well-preserved in Europe.

The conclusion of the tour was by far the best. We got an inside look at a part of Amalienborg Palace. The four symmetrical Baroque mansions, in the largest photo, were not constructed as royal houses at all. They were originally built by a wealthy nobleman. It was only after the first Christiansborg Palace burned down that the royal family moved into the four mansions. Although the move was meant to be temporary, the royal family has remained in the octagonal square since.

The mansion that we saw has been largely untouched since its last and first inhabitant, the notoriously mentally insane King Christian VII. In present day the queen uses the mansion for state dinners and for guests.

Our tour guide was absolutely amazing. He greeted us at the door, as if we were part of the royal family. We were immediately drawn to his suave attire and accent. He spoke as if he were carrying on conversation at the most fabulous party you have ever been to. Add his eloquent speech to his Louis Vuitton suede slippers and perfectly ironed shirt, and he had our undivided attention the entire tour...except for when the changing of the guards occurred right before our very eyes(a once in a lifetime experience).

Words cannot do anything that I saw in the palace justice. We were unable to bring our phones or cameras in as well. I think that the royal family wants the palace's interior to remain a mystery to most. All the more reason to feel that much more privileged after you emerge from the marble entrance/exit.

As if the gilded ceilings, massive number of paintings, and a collection of porcelain that would make any grandmother's cabinet seem insignificant, were not enough, at the end of the tour we got to march out during the changing of the guards. We actually couldn't go out the front door because the tour guide said we would be shot with a capital S(I think he was half kidding...) Thus we snuck out the back door of the palace, like I imagine the Prince has done a couple of times, and got a sneak peak at some of the guards. Interestingly enough half of them came in, with their cigarettes already lit. They were in full guard attire, with poofy black hats that British guards wear, and smoking in the palace courtyard. Now that was a site I will never forget.

I thought my last post would be it until after my travels. But this study tour I took on Wednesday was so interesting I had to share some of it. If I hadn't restrained myself, and I didn't have so much packing to do, I probably would have committed some serious word vomit about the history of the palace and fortress we visited. Thank god for my restraint.

#amalienborg #royalty #grandmanner #architecture