Strategically located on the Oresund, the strait separating Sweden and Denmark, Kronborg Castle is also the setting of great literature. Once a medieval fortress that controlled egress into the Baltic Sea, and the former residence of Denmark’s royalty, Kronborg Castle was immortalized through Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as Elsinore. But how did this come about?
In 1420, King Eric of Pomerania built Krogen, an impenetrable medieval fortress in the coastal city of Helsingor, to watch Danish waters and to enforce his new tax, the Sound Dues. For more than 400 years, all merchant ships passing through the strait had to pay this toll or be subject to the castle’s bastions and cannon batteries.
Between 1574 and 1585, King Frederick II of Denmark later commissioned a Renaissance castle, Kronborg, to replace the medieval fortress with money from the Sound Dues. The structure had a façade adorned with sandstone ornaments, tall steeples, pointed spires, and gold towers.
Court life was also memorable, with its extravagant parties, opulent dinners, and theater performances. Tales of the magnificent castle and Frederick II’s court eventually reached William Shakespeare, who, inspired by this, chose Kronborg Castle as the setting for his play “Hamlet.”
In 1629, a fire ravaged the castle, leaving only the chapel intact. King Christian IV rebuilt the castle, adding Baroque touches; however, after 1690, it was no longer a royal residence but was used for military purposes instead. Kronborg Castle has since been restored to its former splendor and remains an important symbol of Danish history and English literature.
Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at [email protected]