Kronborg

Having grown up attending performing arts groups and with a deep adoration for Shakespeare, Kronborg was one castle I simply had to visit. For those who are not aware this castle was the inspiration and setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Unfortunately, on my last visit to Copenhagen, I was unable to find time to travel north from the city to see this gothic masterpiece, I knew I would not make that mistake twice.

This stunning castle is both a fortress and a romantic ideal. During its long history, Kronborg has lived many lives. Although it is now a tourist attraction and museum, its most recent governmental role was as an army barracks which is unsurprising considering its strategic importance as a power symbol during the 17-18th centuries, when the sound over which it looks was the only way to access the Baltic sea.

Both the bastions and more modern buildings that stand in the shadow of the main stronghold as testament to the recent military role played by this renaissance castle..

However, originally this castle was designed for a much more emotive purpose. King Erik was the first monarch to rule both Sweden and Denmark, he built this castle in its idyllic setting so he could see both his kingdoms at the same time, with Sweden just across the sound.

This original purpose becomes keenly evident once inside, where windows are positioned to allow one to gaze over the sound in every room possible. Though, you may struggle to not to let your gaze be drawn from the immense power of the sound to the breath-taking baroque interiors.

You are drawn from echoing rooms, along spiraling carved staircases leading to intimate alcoves where monarchs of the past contemplated the challenges of the day. You peer at pieces of furniture that look ready to come to life like something of a fairy tale. Other rooms feature walls covered with intricate tapestries depicting battles and heroes from Danish histories and even Greek stories.

This sense of romantic ideals is further fanned as you are faced with the enormous Knight's Hall, which is considered to be one of the largest halls in northern Europe and the first ballroom in Europe. My best friend and I couldn’t resist a waltz across this cavernous and empty hall, with the beautiful, inlaid wood panel floor and paintings hanging on every available section of wall.

One can also not forget the mystical within this castle, particularly when faced with the imposing presence of Holger Danske, who is a legendary hero of Denmark. It is said that if Denmark was ever threatened this Statue would come to life turning from stone to flesh to defend the Danish kingdom once again. Having seen this daunting figure, I have to say good luck to anyone who dares threaten Denmark, my money would be on Holger.

Considering all of this, is it no wonder Shakespeare was so inspired by this heartbreakingly beautiful castle. Hamlet could be argued as one of Shakespeare’s most complex and challenging plays, and visiting this castle one starts to gain a sense of why.

I left Kronborg with mixed feelings; on one hand I felt closer to history, the heroes of the past and the great playwright himself. However, I now also feel even more in awe of its lasting impact and have to wonder if this is what is left of the past what impact will our generation leave for future generations to see. What monuments to our lives will exist 400 years from now and what will it say about us.

I hope it is an awe-inspiring and emotive as Kronborg, but I also hope whatever it is, it is a force for good and not a testament to your failings.