The Frozen Series – 5. Frederiksborg Castle

It’s the time of the year once again, when the spicy aroma of mulled wine and the vanilla-hinted scent of fluffy waffles dominate the air, at least in the upper hemisphere. It’s time therefore for the winter series! Let’s start this cold season featurettes with a take on the Frederiksborg Castle in Copenhagen. I was lucky enough (or not, it depends on how you take it) to see it enveloped in snow. I saw the pictures of it blooming in spring and summer, and it looked divine. With snow, I must say it looked even more heavenly. Getting there was a good 45 minutes from the center of Copenhagen. It is situated in the unassuming village of Hillerod, another 30-minute walk from the train station. It’s included in the Copenhagen Pass which is totally worth it especially since you can also get unlimited transportation around Copenhagen and the surrounding region.

By this time, I’d be lying if I say that I’m not yet sick of museums and palaces having seen so many of them around Europe but this one definitely did not disappoint. It was extra-effin-vagant! Outside, it seems like just a typical giant Danish chateau built with bricks and the characteristic architecture but inside is just a jaw-dropping renaissance explosion. The ceilings are just epic. They’re not just painted trompe-l’oeil illusions like most ceilings of their time but were actually carved to perfection.

The chapel is the magnum opus of this castle. The ornaments cascade from the ceiling like guided stalactite formations with frescoes on the pillars. The lighting accentuates the golden coatings of the decors giving them the royal illumination they deserve. The chapel also contains the oldest organ in Denmark. The great hall right above the chapel is a close second in splendidness. The chandelier, tapestries, and the carved ceiling are consistent with the theme of the entire palace.

The rose room dining hall (left) and the great hall (right). They really did have a lot of time and creativity before to come up with these masterpieces.

I would love to say something about the history (it houses the Danish Museum of National History after all), but you can probably read that elsewhere. I was so busy being awestruck I forgot everything I read. I picked up something, of course, like how it was destroyed by fire and respectfully reconstructed in the 1880s but I’m no expert so, yeah, with regards to which monarch and when, maybe you can just search it up. The gardens, I did not see a lot because it was under 10 inches of snow but capturing the frozen lake gave me a postcard-perfect memory of the castle seemingly floating in the clouds. It was indeed one of the most picturesque and memorable landscapes I have ever seen in my life. I highly, highly recommend visiting this palace. Rather than sighing at the disappointing sight of the little mermaid, head on immediately to Frederiksborg and you will have the best surprise of your life or well, at least, your Copenhagen stay.