Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is a renaissance castle located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and is an example of Christian IV's many architectural projects. It was built in the Dutch Renaissance style, typical of Danish buildings during this period, and has been expanded several times, finally evolving into its present condition by the year 1624. Architects Bertel Lange and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger are associated with the structural planning of the castle.

The castle was used by Danish regents as a royal residence until around 1710. After the reign of Frederik IV, Rosenborg was used as a royal residence only twice, and both these times were during emergencies. The first time was after Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794, and the second time was during the British attack on Copenhagen in 1801.

Christian IV’s Winter Room

The Winter Room is the best preserved room from the original Castle, and it was the most important of the King’s three private chambers. The bays are from 1758. In front of the bay to the right stood Christian IV’s mechanical arrangement for raising and lowering the drawbridge. Christian IV lay in state here and the exhibits are mostly from his time.

The rich panelling was made by Court cabinet-maker Gregor Greuss and were completed around 1620. The inlaid paintings were purchased in Antwerp and constitute a unique collection of art from the Netherlands, although most of the artists are unknown. The original stucco ceiling was replaced around 1770 with Pieter Isaacsz’ mythological paintings from the room above, including The Feast of the Gods and The Fall of the Giants.

A speaking tube connects the Winter Room to the Wine Cellar, to the room above and to the gable room at the opposite end of the Castle. Audio channels in the floor allowed the King and his astonished guests to hear music being played from the cellar vault.

Christian IV’s Writing Room

From this tower chamber, Christian IV is believed to have carried out his vast correspondence. The room has been preserved, more or less intact, since the time of Christian IV in the first half of the 17th century: the ceiling paintings with scenes from the Italian epic Orlando Furioso, the paintings inlaid in the panels, and the fireplace. However, the wall coverings of green silk printed with gold ornaments date from around 1700.

In the extension of the chamber, which is located behind the jib door in the north wall, Christian IV had a staircase which gave direct access to the basement. Frederik III later had the staircase replaced with a so-called ascenseur, or “ascending chair”, which was very fashionable at the time. The chair could be drawn to the first and the second floor, so the King did not have to climb the stairs himself.

The items exhibited in the Writing Room are mainly mementos of Christian IV, his closest family and his forefathers.

Christian IV’s Bedroom

King Christian IV died here on 28th February 1648. This and the two preceding rooms constituted the King’s private chambers, and from this one he had direct access to a toilet and a bathroom. During the reigns of Frederik III and Christian V it probably served as the shared bedroom of the Royal couple. The items displayed in the room belonged to Christian IV.

The wall panels and doors are from Christian IV’s time and originally had floral-painted framing. In the 1660’s Frederik III and Sophie Amalie, who were highly fashion-conscious, had the wall panels and doors painted in the “Chinese” style. The green lacquered panels bear gold line drawings, based on descriptions of China from the time and older Chinese novels.

The stucco ceiling dates from the 1630’s. The ceiling paintings depict the gods of the earth, the heavens and the oceans. Abraham Wuchters painted the central painting: Hera – made to resemble Sophie Amalie – and Zeus on Mount Olympus. The other two were painted by Isaac Isaacsz.

Christian IV’s Toilet

This room, formerly known as “The Secret”, is the lowest of three toilets, each with its own disposal chute. Originally it had a door in the wall to the left leading to the bathroom (where the Garden Room is now situated).

There was a water cistern in the room used for flushing. The drain led to the moat which surrounds the Palace. During drier periods it was difficult to get water circulation into the moat, resulting in an unpleasant smell from below.

The stucco ceiling dates from the time of Christian IV and was probably made by Valentin Dresler. The blue and white tiles on the walls were put up in connection with Frederik IV’s refurbishing of Rosenborg in 1705. The original tiles were Dutch and were delivered in 1706; some of them are still on the walls. Later – in the 19th century – they were supplemented with tiles originally made in 1736 for the Hermitage Palace in a factory in Store Kongensgade.

This room was originally connected to the Stone Passage and served as an antechamber dividing the King’s apartments from those of the Queen at the south end of the palace. In 1616 the room lost direct daylight following the building of the Great Tower, where Christian IV installed his bathroom with running water. In 1705 it became the bedchamber of the King and Queen.

The stucco ceiling was made by Valentin Dresler from Schmalkalden in connection with the building of the room. The fireplace with mirror and the silk tapestries date from the reign of Frederik IV. The striped tapestries with scalloped pelmets and tassels were probably inspired by the designs of the Dutchman Daniel Marot for the decoration of the stately homes of the time.

The armchair, which dates from the 17th century, was ingeniously constructed to hold down a guest with the use of securing devices, concealed in the armrests. The strapped person could then be soaked by water running from vessels in the back of the chair through pipes in the seat. When the victim was released and stood up from the chair, a trumpet hidden in the seat would toot.

The room was originally Christian IV’s bathroom, which was connected by a passage to the King’s toilet and bedroom. The bathroom was closed in 1705-1706 and converted into a room for Frederik IV and Queen Louise, in connection with their shared bedroom. The name “The Garden Room” was first used in Frederik IV’s time. It was called so because one could sit in the room and enjoy the view over the garden.

The stucco ceiling was made by Frederik Ehbisch and the painting by Bénoit le Coffre. The wooden floor with inlays and the marbled and painted panels are from 1707.

The objects in the Garden Room are from the days of Frederik IV and Queen Louise, who were the last royal couple to take residence at Rosenborg. The chairs and the table by the central window were parts of their original furnishing.