Frederiksborg Palace

Spread across three small islands in a lake in Hillerød, Frederiksborg Palace (Frederiksborg Slot) is the largest Renaissance palace in Scandinavia. King Christian IV built it in the early 17th century in the Dutch Renaissance style, with red brick, sandstone trim, copper spires and elaborate gables.

Fire gutted much of the palace in 1859. Its rebuilding was largely funded by the Carlsberg brewer J. C. Jacobsen, and since 1878 it has housed the Museum of National History. Its rooms tell five centuries of Danish history through portraits, history paintings, furniture and decorative arts, with reconstructed state rooms such as the Great Hall.

The palace chapel survived the fire and is a highlight for many visitors. Danish absolute monarchs were anointed there, and its walls carry the painted coats of arms of the knights of the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Dannebrog. It also houses an organ by Esaias Compenius from 1610. Outside, a formal baroque garden rises in terraces beyond the lake.