Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle was built in the years 1606-34 as the country residence of Christian IV outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace. He often stayed at Rosenborg when residing in Copenhagen, and died there in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son, King Frederik III, who together with his Queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several modernisations. The last King to reside at the palace was Frederik IV, and about 1720 Rosenborg gave way to Frederiksberg Castle as the preferred residence.
Throughout the 18th century, considerable treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle. The collection increased among other things from the estates of deceased royalty and after the fire of Christiansborg in 1794. Soon the idea of a museum arose. It was realised in 1833, which is the official year of the foundation of The Chronological Collection of the Danish Kings. In 1838, the palace was opened to the general public. A tour of Rosenborg presented the history of the Royal House from the age of Christian IV to the visitor’s own time. When the palace was opened, a room had been arranged with souvenirs of Frederik VI, even though the King did not die until the following year. The chronological review and the furnished interiors, which even today remain the characteristics of Rosenborg, were introduced here for the first time in European museum history. The collection continued to grow, and in the 1960s the initiative was taken to set up a section at Amalienborg Palace for the more recent part of the Royal House. This was realised in 1977, and since 1994 with rooms at Christian VIII’s Palace. The line of division between the two sections was drawn at 1863 so that the Kings of the House of Oldenborg are to be found at Rosenborg and the Kings of the House of Glücksborg at Amalienborg.
Exhibits at Rosenborg that have a particular connection with the Royal House
The Crown of Christian 5. from 1670, which was used at the coronations of all the Absolutist Kings, the last time in 1840. The Crown is still used on the occasion of the monarch’s castrum doloris, the last time in 1972.
The Crown Jewels date back to Christian VI’s Queen, Sophie Magdalene. In her will of 1746, she directed that her jewellery should not become the possession of any one person, but always be at the disposal of the Queen. The Crown Jewels have increased several times, and in their present form date from 1840. The Crown Jewels consist primarily of four large sets of jewellery: two with brilliants, one with emeralds and brilliants, and one with rubies, pearls and brilliants. Also today, the Crown Jewels are at the disposal of HM The Queen, who uses them one or more times a year. This is generally in connection with the New Year levee and in connection with state visits and other events in the Royal House.
The royal baptismal font and basin. The christening basin is of pure gold, and since 1671 this basin has been used for the christening of all royal children. Originally the name and day of christening of the child were engraved on the back of the basin, but at the end of the 18th century there was no more room. The christening set also includes a water pitcher and two candlesticks, all of pure gold. In connection with a christening, the basin is placed in a baptismal font of gold-plated silver. At the time of writing, the font and the basin were most recently used in the autumn of 2002 when Prince Felix was christened in Møgeltønder Church.
For further information, please see the website of Rosenborg Castle.
