Description of the attraction
One of the important historical sights in the city of Aarhus is the summer royal residence of Marselisborg. The history of the palace begins in 1661, when King Frederick III, in order to pay a debt, transferred the lands and lands to the Dutch merchant Gabriel Marselis. The property was managed by the two sons of Marcellis, Constantine and Wilhelm. Over time, for services to Denmark, Constantine received the title of baron, and the estate-palace began to be called Marselisborg. Due to the difficult financial situation of the family, the castle passed from hand to hand until the residence was acquired by the municipality of Aarhus in 1896.
The mansion was renovated by the renowned Danish architect Hack Kampmanni. Marselisborg Castle itself gives the impression of a light and graceful design, the structure is located in the middle of a beautiful blooming garden and green lawns. The approaches to the residence are decorated with statues carved from trees and stumps, the author of the statues was Jorn Ronnau.
In 1902, the local authorities presented the residence as a wedding present to King Christian X and his wife Alexandrina of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. After the death of Queen Alexandrina in 1952, the castle was abandoned for fifteen years. In 1967, the Marselisborg mansion was restored.
Today the castle serves as a summer royal residence. Changing of the guard near the castle takes place during the summer holidays of the royal family. The palace is closed to the public, but the park is open to visitors when the royal family is not in the residence.
Behind the palace there is a magnificent rose garden, in which some varieties of Queen Alexandrina roses have been preserved to this day. Today the garden has more than 350 varieties of roses, which are planted on the grassy lawns in the form of a labyrinth.
