Monarchic North Sealand

Monarchic North Sealand The rolling landscape of Denmark’s North Sealand is a landscape painter’s dream. The golden summer sun floats high in the sky, warming the bright cornfields and green forests. Danish monarchs loved this idyllic landscape, the beautiful birdsong and the stately beech trees. The forests of North Sealand have long been an enticing destination for Danish royalty. It has been a favourite hunting ground. There is no other area in Denmark where royal castles and palaces have been built so close together. North Sealand became Monarchic Denmark. Any self-respecting Danish monarch had to build a castle. It was evidence of royal power, honour and wealth. The castles were used as royal residences and official state venues, for wedding receptions, and occasionally, as secret love nests.		Map - Royal Palaces and Castles
		Three castle ruins with dramatic histories Søborg is the oldest castle, dating from the 12th century, and was used to incarcerate adversaries. Asserbo was one of the first Christian fortresses in Denmark. From the 16-18th centuries it was gradually buried under drifting sands. Gurre was the favourite castle of Valdemar IV of Denmark. He loved the castle so much that he made a pact with God: “Let the Lord keep his heaven, just so long as I keep hunting at Gurre.” The king’s daughter Margrete, grew up in Gurre and went on to become Queen of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Three of the most beautiful castles in Northern Europe

Kronborg Castle (1400) is more stronghold than castle. Some of the walls are six metres thick.

Frederiksborg Castle is an impressive mix of ordinary manor and hunting castle, with a towering spire and secret trapdoor entrances. It is built on three islands that are connected by bridges.

Fredensborg Palace (1722) is the culmination of Danish baroque architecture. It is still used as a royal residence, favoured for its landscape and sociable hunting.

A Danish monarch could look out from the castle, and enjoy a view unencumbered by neighbouring properties. The castle demonstrated royal power and wealth and demonstrated to the rest of the world that Denmark was one of the oldest and most influential countries in the world.

Hence the name ...