| | |

Gråsten Palace

The original Gråsten Palace was a small hunting lodge built in the middle of the 16th century. The Lodge burnt down in 1603 and a new palace is thought to have been built approximately where the current palace’s south wing is located today. Chancellor Count Frederik Ahlefeldt is thought to have been the owner of Gråsten Palace in 1662 – 82 and he and his son built a very grand baroque palace shortly before the beginning of the 1700’s. This too burnt down in 1757. Only the palace chapel and a few pavilions remained. The current palace was built thereafter, the work beginning in 1759 with the erection of a new south wing, and again in 1842 when the central building was added. After 1864 the palace was occupied by the Augustenborg family. In the early 1900’s further major rebuilding commenced. In 1920 Gråsten Palace passed to the Danish state, and for a period it was used as court house, library and living quarters for the local Judge and Chief of Police.

The palace was renovated for Crown Prince Frederik (later Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid) in 1935. King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid almost always spent their summer holidays at Gråsten Palace. After Queen Ingrid’s death the palace has passed to HM The Queen, who continues the tradition of living at the palace during the summer.

For further information please visit the Palaces and Properties Agency's website.

Opening Hours

Gråsten Palace Chapel is open from April – October, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, from 14.00 to 16.00 whenever the Royal Family is not in residence, and for Chapel services on Sundays.
It is possible to arrange for the Chapel to be opend by appointment: call +45 74 65 14 54.
When the Royal Family is not in residence the Palace garden is open:
• from November – February, from 07.30 to 16.30
• in March from 07.30 to 18.00
• in April from 0.30 am to 19.00
• from May to August 19th from 07.30 to 20.00
• from August 20 to October from 07.30 to 19.00 (but dates may vary slightly)

The garden by The Little Manor House is the private property of the Royal Family and always closed.