Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Copenhagen audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~90 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type castle
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Copenhagen Copenhagen guide
About Rosenborg Castle
Christian IV's red-brick Renaissance castle, begun in 1606, now guards the Danish crown jewels and a coronation throne of narwhal tusk, set in the beloved King's Garden.
Rosenborg Castle (Rosenborg Slot) is an early-17th-century Renaissance castle in central Copenhagen, built for King Christian IV in the Dutch Renaissance style. He began it as a country summerhouse in 1606, and after several expansions, overseen by Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger, it reached essentially its present form by 1624. It stands in the King's Garden (Kongens Have) and served as a royal residence until around 1710. In 1838 it opened to the public as a museum.
The castle houses the Danish Crown Jewels and royal regalia, including the crown of Christian IV. In the Long Hall stand the coronation thrones, flanked by three life-size silver lions cast between 1665 and 1670; the king's throne is famously made of narwhal tusk. The surrounding gardens draw an estimated 2.5 million visitors a year.
Did you know? The Danish king's coronation throne was long thought to be carved from unicorn horn. It is actually narwhal tusk, which in the seventeenth century was widely believed to come from real unicorns.
How long should you spend at Rosenborg Castle?
Plan about ~90 min at Rosenborg Castle. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Rosenborg Castle worth visiting?
Rosenborg Castle is one of the 24 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Copenhagen, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Copenhagen
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Rosenborg Castle and read more:
Day 1 of the Copenhagen in 2 days itinerary →Day 1 of the Copenhagen in 3 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Rosenborg Castle
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