Tag: castle
Shiny and Bright
In anticipation of the Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary, Cinderella’s Castle has a swanky new paint job.
There are more things in heaven and earth
Legend has it that Shakespeare wrote his masterpiece Hamlet, with Kronborg Castle as it’s setting. The mystery remains as to whether or not he actually visited Denmark. In 1816, on the 200th anniversary of his death, the soldiers garrisoned at Kronborg performed his play for the first time.
When you arrive at the castle, make a point of checking out the days schedule as in the Summer months, Hamlet is performed live on the castle grounds.
I arrived just in time to head to the King’s Chamber for Ophelia’s mad scene.
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
“Good-night, ladies, good-night, sweet ladies, good-night, good-night.”
In between scenes, Queen Gertrude works on her crewel in her chamber.
“One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,
So fast they follow. Your sister’s drown’d, Laertes.”
“But to know a man well were to know himself.”
“The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.”
“No, no! the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet!
The drink, the drink! I am poison’d.”
“It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain”
Good Night Sweet Prince
LINKS
The Riviera of the Nordic region
Hop one of the convenient trains from the central train station in Copenhagen and an hour later you’ll be visiting the town of Helsingor in Northern Zealand. 
Kulturhavn Kronborg is an area dedicated to the arts, live music, theatre and art all play a part in the culture of the region. 
This fish sculpture is made entirely out of garbage found in the bay. Look clsely and you’ll find everything from plastic beach pails to hubcaps to watering cans to children’s toys. All items that were tossed in the water and retrieved for art. 
The narrow cobblestone streets are perfect from exploring on foot or on bike. 
Han, Danish for Him, is the little brother of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid. Artists Elmgreen & Dragset use the same pose as his more famous sibling, but he has 2 legs instead of a tail. If you watch closely, Han’s eyes blink for a split second once every hour as he stares out into the harbor.
Visiting the Queen of Denmark
Amalienborg Palace is one of several architectural and cultural masterpieces in Copenhagen. The palace is still the residence of Denmark’s Royal Family. A statue of King Frederik V dating from 1771 stands in the forecourt. The palace is made up of four identical buildings. These are Christian VII’s Palace or Moltke’s Palace, a guest residence, Frederik VIII’s Palace or Brockdorff’s Palace, home of the Crown Prince family, Christian IX’s Palace or Schack’s Palace, home of Queen Margreth and Prince Consort and Christian VIII’s Palace or Levetzau’ Palace, used as guest palace for Prince Joachim and Princess Benedikte.
One of the highlights of a visit to Amalienborg Palace is the pageantry of the changing of the guard. Every day Den Kongelige Livgarde take to the streets and march from their barracks by Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg. At precisely 12 noon the changing of the guard takes place. Unlike the changing of the guards in England, there are no fences separating the guards from the public.
Although you can’t drop in on to visit the Queen, you can visit one of the buildings where 4 kings of the House of Glucksborg who ruled from 1863 through 1972 resided. Among the rooms you can see are the study and drawing room of Christian IX and Queen Louise. Queen Louise was the great-great-grandmother of today’s Queen Margreth and through marriage allowed Prince Christian IX to ascend the throne. Queen Louise made sure that all six of her children married well and Queen Louise and King Christian IX became known as Europe’s Parents-In-Law. Four of their children sat in the thrones of Denmark, Greece, England, and Russia.
The study of Frederik VIII is an approximation of the way it looked. After the King’s death in 1912, his belongings were given away to family and friends. The heavy wooden furniture and faux leather walls make it a very masculine space.
The private salon of Queen Louise is full of Victorian treasures and personal souvenirs. 
Christian IX’s study is decorated with framed photos of family. During Christian IX’s time, photographs were a new sensation and expensive. They were a status symbol and also showed how seriously Christian IX took his fame as Europe’s Father-In-Law.
LINKS
Travels With Ackbar 