Kronborg Castle
Kronborg Castle is located on the island of Zealand in the town of Helsingør, Denmark. The Renaissance castle was built as a stronghold by King Eric VII in the 1420s. The castle, along with fortress Karman, which was once a part of the Danish fortress Helsingborg, both controlled the entrance to the Baltic Sea. For 400 years, the royal castle served as the headquarters for collecting Sound Dues, which filled the king’s coffers. Thus, the castle served as a symbol of Denmark’s power. The Sound tolls were used for income but also as a political tool. King Frederick II had the castle completely transformed into a Renaissance castle in 1574-85. He adorned the castle with sandstone, copper roofs, and spires. But Court life disappeared from the castle when a fire destroyed much of the building in 1629, but King Christian IV had it rebuilt. Kronborg Castle has a long history and was once conquered by the Swedish army. From 1688-90 the defenses of the stronghold were strengthened with ramparts. From 1785-1922 the castle was under military administration, and its importance as a royal castle diminished. From 1739 to the 1900s, the castle was used as a prison. The convicts worked on fortifying and repairing the castle. The Royal Danish army left the castle in 1923. After further renovations, the castle was opened to the public in 1938. The castle has four wings and a courtyard. The interior boasts a 16th century chapel, royal apartments, the Little hall decorated with tapestries, and a 60-meter ballroom with a large fireplace, wood carvings, gilding, marble flooring, and brass chandeliers. Kronborg Castle is also known as Elsinore in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Kronborg Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is open to the public.