Description of the attraction
Fredensborg Palace stands on the eastern shore of Lake Esrum and is located 30 kilometers from the Danish capital, Copenhagen. It is now the spring and fall residence of the royal family.
The palace was built by order of King Frederick IV in the French Baroque style. Construction lasted from 1720 to 1726. Initially, the building itself was relatively small - it consisted of two floors, over which towered an elegant dome with turrets attached to the sides. Among other buildings, it is also worth noting freestanding outbuildings, stables, a greenhouse and a chapel. Then a separate wing was added, intended for the courtiers - it was made in a different style - Dutch Baroque, smoothly turning into Rococo. In 1751, the greenhouse was rebuilt and became an extension of the wing for the courtiers, and two years later, four symmetrically located corner pavilions with copper pyramid roofs were added.
Fredensborg Castle is now owned by the Danish royal family; ceremonies and meetings with heads of other countries are held here. However, the palace chapel is open to the public.
It is interesting that one of the halls in the palace is called "Russian". It displays a variety of decorative and applied arts brought from Russia, as well as a portrait of Nicholas II and more modern portraits of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, made by Russian artist Dmitry Zhilinsky.
The palace park was equipped simultaneously with the construction of the building itself. It is one of the largest landscaping sites in all of Denmark, with an area of 300 acres. The part closest to the palace is closed for tourist visits - the royal gardens and greenhouses are located here. The park is made in a baroque style, and there are many interesting sculptures installed here. Especially noteworthy are the 68 statues in the so-called Norwegian Valley, depicting Norwegian farmers and fishermen.
