It is still used by the Danish Royal Family. It is located in the Town of Hillerød (circa 1552). This is the town's coat of arms.
Copenhagen gave us the nicest "rush hour" we ever experienced! Digital displays are conveniently located outside the stations to tell you arrival times and any changes... before you enter the station.
(unlike NYC where you must descend all the way to the turnstiles to realize that delays or cancellations happened).
It was a relief to hear a train approaching and NOT have to run down the stairs to try and catch it... because if we missed it, another would be there in exactly 4 minutes. It was a relief to know that all the trains were functioning, which customers can never hope for with NYC's MTA. (Tap the image to read it).
Lewis looked dreamily at Copenhagen's cleanliness and convenience.
Their stations are equipped with eateries and 7-11 stores that are just as nice as the ones we saw in Japan!
Enjoy this quick video (turn the sound on)...
Transportation across Queen Margrethe's realm is supported by spiffy trains that Americans are still hoping for. In the image below, a gold crown in the train's logo symbolizes that trains are operated by the constitutional monarchy government.
Trains have free internet access and Wi-Fi. Bluetooth technology is named after King Harald Bluetooth, Denmark’s ruler in the 900s.
The train rolled through a forest named Store Dyrehave (Large Animal Park), which was originally a royal deer-hunting park in 1619. In 1680, King Christian V introduced "par force" (royal style) hunting for aristocrats, and his geometric paths and numbered stone-posts remain. Therefore, the park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Hunting Landscape of North Zealand. It was picturesque.
Here's a quick video of how silently fast the trains are...
The town modernized but kept its historic charm. School children frolicked on a tree stump and in the playground. Many properties have rear gates to the lake.
Crossing a curvy bridge, we approached the next gatehouse, even grander than the first, with depictions of mythological creatures. Its square shape is capped by a copper spire, now covered in a greenish verdigris finish. The path was lined with pitched-roof buildings.
Yes, their clean society sweeps the castle pathways.
Another curvy bridge led to another gatehouse. Through it, we stepped onto to a larger island.
The island held several attractive structures. Built in 1615, its Chancellery was one of Denmark’s finest Renaissance buildings.
As we walked through the archway, the sound of rushing water became audible, as a beautiful fountain came into view. Visibly centered in the archway—filling it like a picture in a frame—the Neptune Fountain is a wondrous arrangement of statues, sprays, cascades, and basins.
A centerpiece of the courtyard, it drew our eyes upward to the wings of the massive castle and the bell-tower, waiting for us on the next island. With no rear walls, that islet gives a full view of the grandiosity. Crossing the third moat finally put us inside!
The outer walls of the castle touch the water, with no way for an invader to climb up.
The third bridge is guarded by ornately-carved lion statues!
The lower windows on the left wing have iron scrollwork that is positively amazing! Neither of us saw such intricacy before. Lewis and I love handcrafted things. True artisans infuse each creation with their energy and love, so it radiates wherever it is. Forced-labor and sweatshops do the opposite, and machineries exclude the "human touch" from their products. Danes have a philosophy that without the "human touch", creations are not impregnated with such folkgeist and are utterly soulless.
Entering an unassuming door gives access to the Chapel, consecrated in 1617 and unhurt by the fire. For centuries, the chapel was used for coronations.
Lewis' video shows how grand the chapel is...
Lewis took these photos. Tap on them to enlarge and see their intricate beauty.
Seen above and below, the pipe organ was built in 1610, and it still plays regularly! It is the oldest one in Denmark, and it has 1,001 wooden pipes.
Seen below, the elongated “gallery” (corridor) spanned the water to connect with a structure on shore named "Audience House". In that era, visitors were not initially permitted into the castle; they stayed on the secondary island in the Audience House and waited for their "audience" with the king or queen.
A road goes through the Audience House to the formal gardens, behind the castle. Most of the castle’s windows enjoy that floral view. In the image below, notice the antique vandalism.
The room was occasionally configured as a Throne Room and a Banquet Hall. Its splendidness was appreciated in a variety of ways.
*Related to elegant dining, if you want to see Entertaining tips that I used at my home, please use this link:
As you enlarge my images, notice the absence of velvet ropes or barriers. It's indicative of a trusting society.
https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2021/10/our-trip-to-london-uk-part-4-windsor.html
The royal castle opens at 10am and is a 60-minute train ride from the city. Both the castle and the train were free with our Copenhagen Cards. Thanks to our hotel's wonderful proximity to everything, we walked a short distance to the Metro station, which is also a transit hub for the trains. (At home, 95% of subway stations stupidly do not connect to trains. Seen below, the red line shows the distance between the busiest stations in Queens... yet the city refuses to build a connection).
Copenhagen gave us the nicest "rush hour" we ever experienced! Digital displays are conveniently located outside the stations to tell you arrival times and any changes... before you enter the station.
(unlike NYC where you must descend all the way to the turnstiles to realize that delays or cancellations happened).
It was a relief to hear a train approaching and NOT have to run down the stairs to try and catch it... because if we missed it, another would be there in exactly 4 minutes. It was a relief to know that all the trains were functioning, which customers can never hope for with NYC's MTA. (Tap the image to read it).
Lewis looked dreamily at Copenhagen's cleanliness and convenience.
Their stations are equipped with eateries and 7-11 stores that are just as nice as the ones we saw in Japan!
Enjoy this quick video (turn the sound on)...
Transportation across Queen Margrethe's realm is supported by spiffy trains that Americans are still hoping for. In the image below, a gold crown in the train's logo symbolizes that trains are operated by the constitutional monarchy government.
Trains have free internet access and Wi-Fi. Bluetooth technology is named after King Harald Bluetooth, Denmark’s ruler in the 900s.
After trains arrive in the station, the doors close again to keep out the noise and to keep in the air-conditioning. That's nice for passengers. Arriving riders merely press buttons on the doors, and they open. America doesn't have anything like that.
Danish trains are punctual and clean. No litter, smudges, spilled food, or discarded cups. Life as it should be.
Train cars are equipped with layers of automated glass doors, to keep the compartments quiet.
If a passenger wants to enter or exit, the motion-censored doors open. Click my link to see what New York's pricey commuter trains look like:
If a passenger wants to enter or exit, the motion-censored doors open. Click my link to see what New York's pricey commuter trains look like:
https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2019/02/metro-north-filth.html
Conveniently, trains have trashcans by each exit.
The train accelerated smoothly and quietly. A joy to use!
Conveniently, trains have trashcans by each exit.
The train accelerated smoothly and quietly. A joy to use!
Digital screens and illuminated Destination Boards were above the seats. Smart and helpful.
We travelled 40 kilometers, Lewis dozed, and I watched the scenery. Unlike New York, where property along railroad tracks looks like neglected trash dumps, Denmark's land is well-manicured and respected because their train system is clean, upstanding, and pride-worthy.
The tracks ran parallel to the old Royal Road. Our train emerged from Geel's Forest, full of steep mountainbike trails and tree-lined byways.
The train rolled through a forest named Store Dyrehave (Large Animal Park), which was originally a royal deer-hunting park in 1619. In 1680, King Christian V introduced "par force" (royal style) hunting for aristocrats, and his geometric paths and numbered stone-posts remain. Therefore, the park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Hunting Landscape of North Zealand. It was picturesque.
Here's a quick video of how silently fast the trains are...
Arriving at Hillerød Station, we noticed the smooth transition given to riders who wanted buses or branch-line passenger trains.
Walking through the royal town, we followed signposts and opted for the lakeside path to the moated castle.
The town modernized but kept its historic charm. School children frolicked on a tree stump and in the playground. Many properties have rear gates to the lake.
Looking across the water, we admired the glorious buildings that revealed themselves, as we got closer. Green spires, octagonal towers, turrets, stepped gables, and colorful brickwork… all done is Flemish and Dutch styles, which were the most popular in that era. It is the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia.
We began our quest to explore the castle! Crossing the first moat, we arrived on an islet. Full of stables, carriage houses, circular towers, and barracks, it constricted access to the castle against intruders.
Crossing a curvy bridge, we approached the next gatehouse, even grander than the first, with depictions of mythological creatures. Its square shape is capped by a copper spire, now covered in a greenish verdigris finish. The path was lined with pitched-roof buildings.
Yes, their clean society sweeps the castle pathways.
Another curvy bridge led to another gatehouse. Through it, we stepped onto to a larger island.
The island held several attractive structures. Built in 1615, its Chancellery was one of Denmark’s finest Renaissance buildings.
As we walked through the archway, the sound of rushing water became audible, as a beautiful fountain came into view. Visibly centered in the archway—filling it like a picture in a frame—the Neptune Fountain is a wondrous arrangement of statues, sprays, cascades, and basins.
The outer walls of the castle touch the water, with no way for an invader to climb up.
What's astounding is that most of the castle burned down in 1859 and was rebuilt in the 1860s by Jacob Jacobsen, founder of Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen. The kingdom amassed antiques and historic items (300 original paintings were rescued), and the royal family dedicated it as a History Museum. Luckily, craftsman existed in that era. Nowadays, it seems a lost art. A fund established by Jacobsen still helps the castle's operation.
The third bridge is guarded by ornately-carved lion statues!
The lower windows on the left wing have iron scrollwork that is positively amazing! Neither of us saw such intricacy before. Lewis and I love handcrafted things. True artisans infuse each creation with their energy and love, so it radiates wherever it is. Forced-labor and sweatshops do the opposite, and machineries exclude the "human touch" from their products. Danes have a philosophy that without the "human touch", creations are not impregnated with such folkgeist and are utterly soulless.
After the Castle Fire, the left wing was one of few parts remaining. That is where we entered, and a docent invited us to begin our tour from the lower level, which is the oldest. As a pair of adventurers, we began our exploration!
The oldest parts of the castle date from the mid-1500s.
Representing 500 years of Danish history, the chambers have a range of stylistic evolution. You can watch the interior designs change—from the Rose Room (seen below)—to, as they call it, a "pompous" 18th-century style. The leather wall coverings, tapestries, wood-carving, plasterwork, stonework, portraits, and metalwork are astounding.
Representing 500 years of Danish history, the chambers have a range of stylistic evolution. You can watch the interior designs change—from the Rose Room (seen below)—to, as they call it, a "pompous" 18th-century style. The leather wall coverings, tapestries, wood-carving, plasterwork, stonework, portraits, and metalwork are astounding.
Entering an unassuming door gives access to the Chapel, consecrated in 1617 and unhurt by the fire. For centuries, the chapel was used for coronations.
Lewis' video shows how grand the chapel is...
Lewis took these photos. Tap on them to enlarge and see their intricate beauty.
Seen above and below, the pipe organ was built in 1610, and it still plays regularly! It is the oldest one in Denmark, and it has 1,001 wooden pipes.
Seen below, the elongated “gallery” (corridor) spanned the water to connect with a structure on shore named "Audience House". In that era, visitors were not initially permitted into the castle; they stayed on the secondary island in the Audience House and waited for their "audience" with the king or queen.
It reminded us of being inside Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley of the French Republic (seen below, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The corridor has a stunning ceiling of rich plasterwork!
The lavish passageway has splendid views.
A road goes through the Audience House to the formal gardens, behind the castle. Most of the castle’s windows enjoy that floral view. In the image below, notice the antique vandalism.
Lewis and I entered the upper chamber of the Audience Room, and it is remarkable.
Adorned in late 1600s style—with a gilded wooden chandelier from 1625—the royal reception room overlooked the moat and had a "chair lift" for the king to be hoisted up into the room. It still works!
With eager footsteps, we returned to the castle. Each room was marvelous!
Beyond this amazing doorknob was a grandiose ballroom!
The room was occasionally configured as a Throne Room and a Banquet Hall. Its splendidness was appreciated in a variety of ways.
Up close, each coffer in the ceiling is a cornucopia of patterns, knobs, recesses, and carving.
Denmark's royalty use the ballroom for banqueting, and they use other rooms in the castle for dignitary events.
Denmark's royalty use the ballroom for banqueting, and they use other rooms in the castle for dignitary events.
The walls are covered in colorful tapestries—also tucked into the window spaces; a sample is seen above (in vibrant colors). We marveled at royal portraits and noticed how clothing evolved from the Renaissance to the current queen.
Enjoy my musical video that swivels through the room...
*Related to elegant dining, if you want to see Entertaining tips that I used at my home, please use this link:
Dazzled by what we saw, we ventured into the next wing. It started with a lavish bedroom.
Ah yes, there's nothing like life-sized images of shirtless muscled men near the royal bed to get a libido going! Ha ha!
As you enlarge my images, notice the absence of velvet ropes or barriers. It's indicative of a trusting society.
Seemingly, the entire country is full of accurate clocks. The castle's belltower chimed 11 o'clock exactly as two antique clocks in the room chimed the time! I was impressed with such accuracy!
Things are lovingly well-maintained.
Things are lovingly well-maintained.
Lewis admired the paintings, conjuring storylines for each of them. It made an amusing game, as we toured the chambers.
Seen below, that painting has "suggestive" tones of eroticism.
*To see the fabulous fortress that King Christian IV created in Norway, please us this link: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2023/08/our-trip-to-oslo-norway-storting.html
Exiting the castle, we crossed the bridges and strolled back to the train station.
I asked Lewis to choose wherever he wanted to have lunch. Lewis desired Japanese food in Denmark.
Employees at You Sushi were happy to see us, lit a candle on our table, allowed me to charge my iPhone on their counter, and spoke in English. We munched on platters of delectable sushi. The proprietor explained that trains departed every 10 minutes, so there wasn't a rush to catch a train... which was refreshing! (unlike at home)
I asked Lewis to choose wherever he wanted to have lunch. Lewis desired Japanese food in Denmark.
Employees at You Sushi were happy to see us, lit a candle on our table, allowed me to charge my iPhone on their counter, and spoke in English. We munched on platters of delectable sushi. The proprietor explained that trains departed every 10 minutes, so there wasn't a rush to catch a train... which was refreshing! (unlike at home)
Thanks to Denmark's unpolluted waters and priority for sustainable fishing, the Japanese recipes were perfect. It was a tasty way to conclude our daytrip.
*If you want to learn about the time we visited an inhabited castle, please click on this link:
Soon, we were back in Copenhagen and took the Metro to King's New Square.
Escalators connected to the market of an upscale department store named Magasin Du Nord. We went there.
Like Japan and Taiwan, lines on the floor show riders where to wait, to avoid blocking the subway doors... and people obey.
Unlike overpriced NYC...
Escalators connected to the market of an upscale department store named Magasin Du Nord. We went there.
Like Japan and Taiwan, lines on the floor show riders where to wait, to avoid blocking the subway doors... and people obey.
Unlike overpriced NYC...
Please join us for the final part!
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