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{{Short description|Medieval castle in Helsingør, Denmark}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Kronborg
| image = Kronborg 002.JPG
| image_size = 250px
| caption = <!--no caption needed per guidelines-->
| location = [[Helsingør]], Denmark
| height = 
| built = 1420s
| architect = [[Hans Hendrik van Paesschen]]<br>[[Anthonis van Obbergen]]
| architecture = [[Renaissance architectural style]]
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q189358|type:landmark_region:IN-UP|display=inline,title}}
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| embedded = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
|WHS         = 
|Image       = 
|Location    = 
|ID          = 696
|Year        = 2000
|Criteria    = Cultural: iv
|locmapin    = Denmark
|coordinates = 
|map_caption = Location in Denmark
|Website     = 
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| area = 
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| website = {{URL|https://en.kronborg.dk/|en.kronborg.dk}}
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'''Kronborg''' ({{IPA|da|ˈkʰʁoːnˌpɒˀ}}) is a [[castle]] and historical [[stronghold]] in the town of [[Helsingør]], [[Denmark]]. Immortalised as '''Elsinore''' in [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Hamlet]]'', Kronborg is one of the most important [[Renaissance]] castles in [[Northern Europe]]. It was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 2000.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/696 |title = Kronborg Castle |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 19 Jun 2021}}</ref>

The castle is situated on the extreme northeastern tip of the island of [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]] at the narrowest point of the [[Øresund]], the sound between present Denmark and the provinces of present Sweden. The latter were under Danish control  at the time the castle was built. In this part, the sound is only {{Convert|4|km}} wide, hence the strategic importance of maintaining a [[Coastal defence and fortification|coastal fortification]] at this location commanding one of the few outlets of the [[Baltic Sea]].

The castle's story dates back to a stronghold, ''Krogen'', built by [[Eric of Pomerania|King Eric VII]] in the 1420s. Along with the fortress [[Kärnan]] in [[Helsingborg]], on the opposite coast of Øresund, it controlled the entrance to the Baltic Sea. From 1574 to 1585, [[Frederick II of Denmark|King Frederick II]] had the medieval fortress radically transformed into a magnificent Renaissance castle. The main architects were the [[Flanders|Fleming]]s [[Hans Hendrik van Paesschen]] and [[Anthonis van Obbergen]]. The sculptural work was coordinated by [[Gert van Groningen]].

In 1629, a fire destroyed much of the castle, but [[Christian IV of Denmark|King Christian IV]] subsequently had it rebuilt. The castle has a church within its walls. In 1658, Kronborg was besieged and captured by the Swedes, who took many of its valuable art treasures as [[war booty]]. 

In 1785 the castle ceased to be a royal residence and was converted into barracks for the [[Royal Danish Army|Army]]. The Army left the castle in 1923. After a thorough renovation, the complex was opened to the public.

==History==
[[File:028 Kronborg i sol, 16 sek .webm|thumb|Aerial view]]
[[File:KronborgCastleDenmarkOct152022 07.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Kronborg castle is situated on the extreme northeastern tip of the island of [[Zealand]] at the narrowest point of the [[Øresund]].]]

===Krogen===
The castle's history dates to a fortress, ''Krogen'' ([[literal translation|lit.]] 'the Hook'), built in the early 15th century by the [[List of Danish monarchs|Danish king]], [[Eric of Pomerania]]. The king insisted on payment of [[Sound Dues|sound dues]] by all ships wishing to enter or leave the [[Baltic Sea]] through the [[Øresund]]; to help enforce his demands, he built a powerful fortress at the narrowest point in the Sound. At the time, the [[Kingdom of Denmark]] extended across both sides of the Sound. On the eastern shore the [[Kärnan|Helsingborg Castle]] had been operating since the Middle Ages. With the two castles and guard ship, Denmark could control all navigation through the Sound.

The castle was built on ''Ørekrog'', a sandy tongue of land stretching into the sea from the coast of [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]] toward the coast of [[Scania]]. The castle consisted of a square [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]] with a number of stone buildings inside. The stone building in the northeastern corner contained the king's [[Dwelling|residence]]. The building in the southwestern corner contained a large arched [[banquet hall]]. The building in the southeastern corner possibly served as the [[chapel]]. Large portions of the walls of Krogen are contained within the present-day Kronborg Castle.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Nielsen |first=Heidi Maria Møller | title=Krogen: The Medieval Predecessor of Kronborg | journal=Château Gaillard: Études de castellologie médiévale |volume=23 |year=2008 |pages=315–328 |url=http://www.academia.edu/download/33214303/Krogen.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.academia.edu/download/33214303/Krogen.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}<!-- Verifies much of prev. two para.s --></ref>

[[Christian III of Denmark|King Christian III]] had the corners of the curtain wall supplemented with [[bastion]]s in 1558–1559.

===Frederick II's Kronborg===
[[File:Kronborg Braun-Hogenberg.jpg|thumb|Kronborg Castle and the Øresund from the 1580s geography book [[Civitates Orbis Terrarum]]]]

As a consequence of developments in the military technique of the era and the improved striking power of the [[artillery]], it became clear that it was necessary to modernize the fortifications of Krogen. After the conclusion of the [[Northern Seven Years' War]] in 1570, [[Frederick II of Denmark|King Frederick II]] initiated an extension of the advanced bastions to relieve the medieval [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]]. The main architect was the [[Flanders|Flemish]] architect [[Hans Hendrik van Paesschen]] and the fortification works were completed in 1577. After this, the castle acquired its current name of ''Kronborg'' ({{literally|Crown Castle}}).

The castle itself was rebuilt from 1574 to 1585, with the separated buildings of Krogen being extended to three coherent wings. The north wing was equipped with chambers for the king, queen and her [[lady-in-waiting|ladies-in-waiting]] as well as for the [[chancellor|chancellery]]. In the south wing, the medieval building in the southeast corner was refitted as a modern chapel with the vaulted windows facing the chapel being retained. Frederick was a keen patron of theatre and players performed at the castle when he held court there in 1579.<ref>{{harvnb|Donnelly|1984|p=328}}</ref>

Initially, the castle was reconstructed only to a height of two storeys. In 1578, however, the Flemish architect [[Anthonis van Obbergen]] was engaged as new [[master builder (occupation)|master builder]] and work was undertaken to make Kronborg even larger and more magnificent. The sculptural work was coordinated by [[Gert van Groningen]].<ref>[https://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Danske_slotte_og_herreg%C3%A5rde/Kronborg?highlight=kronborg "Kronborg"], ''Den Store Danske''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 1 February 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/Kunst_og_kultur/Billedkunst/Billedhugger/Gert_van_Groningen "Gert van Groningen"], Dansk Biografish Leksikon, ''Den Store Danske''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 1 February 2012.</ref> As a sign of the new ambitions, the south wing was heightened by one storey and a new, gigantic ball room placed over the chapel. Soon after the west and north wings were also heightened by one storey. Finally, the east wing was also heightened with a passageway, ''The Queen's Gallery'', allowing the Queen comfortable passage from her chambers in the north wing to the ball room in the south wing. The exterior walls were clad with [[sandstone]] from [[Scania]], and the new castle was given a roof with [[copper]] sheeting.

[[James VI of Scotland]] stayed in the castle in 1590 after his marriage to [[Anne of Denmark]]. James gave 2,000 [[Danish rigsdaler|Danish dalers]] in gold coins to the officers and servants in the castle as a reward.<ref>Miles Kerr-Peterson & Michael Pearce, 'James VI's English Subsidy and Danish Dowry Accounts, 1588-1596', ''Scottish History Society, Miscellany XVI'' (Woodbridge, 2020), pp. 38-9.</ref>

===Fire of 1629===
[[File:VROOM Hendrick Cornelisz Arrival of a Dutch Three master at Schloss Kronberg.jpg|thumb|right|Arrival of a [[Dutch Republic|Dutch]] three-master at Kronborg Castle, by [[Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom]].]]

In 1629, a moment's carelessness by two workmen caused much of the castle to go up in flames in the night between the 24 and 25 September. Only the chapel was spared by the strength of its arches. [[Christian IV of Denmark|King Christian IV]] put great efforts into restoring the castle. Already in 1631, the work was underway, led by the [[architect]] [[Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger]]. By 1639, the exterior&nbsp;— which in keeping with the king's wish was reconstructed without major changes&nbsp;— was once again magnificent, but the interior never fully regained its former glory. Furthermore, certain modernizations were made, and portals, chimneypieces, ceiling paintings and other decorations were renewed in [[Baroque]] style.

===Swedish conquest of 1658===
[[File:Kronbergbelägring.jpg|thumb|The siege of Kronborg in 1658|alt=]]

During the [[Dano-Swedish War (1658–1660)|Dano-Swedish war of 1658–1660]], Kronborg was besieged, attacked and conquered by a Swedish army commanded by [[Carl Gustaf Wrangel]]. During the Swedish occupation, the queen of Sweden, [[Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp]] and the Swedish king's sister [[Maria Eufrosyne of Pfalz]] lived at Kronborg, where they were visited by Charles X of Sweden during the campaign and entertained the foreign ambassadors.<ref>Lundh-Eriksson, Nanna (1947). Hedvig Eleonora (in Swedish). Wahlström & Widstrand.</ref>

As a result of the Swedish occupation, Kronborg was deprived of many of its most precious art works, including the richly decorated [[fountain]] in the castle courtyard, Frederick II's [[baldachin|canopy]] and a number of the large ceiling paintings commissioned by Christian IV for the ballroom.

===Garrison fortress===
[[File:Kronborg Barracks 2018c.jpg|thumb|Former military barracks on the outskirts of the castle in 2018|alt=|left]]
[[File:Map_of_Kronborg.tif|thumb|Map of the fortifications (around 1765)]]

The Swedish conquest of Kronborg in 1658 demonstrated that the castle was far from impregnable. Afterwards, the defences were strengthened significantly. From 1688 to 1690, an advanced line of defence was added called the Crownwork. Shortly afterwards, a new series of ramparts were built around it. After their completion, Kronborg was considered the strongest fortress in Europe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theforgottenplaces.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/hamlets-elsinore-kronberg-castle/|title=Hamlet's Elsinore: Kronberg Castle|date=2014-09-03|work=The Forgotten Places|access-date=2017-09-27|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010242/https://theforgottenplaces.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/hamlets-elsinore-kronberg-castle/|archive-date=2017-09-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From 1739 until the 20th century, Kronborg was used as a [[prison]]. The inmates were guarded by the soldiers billeted in the castle. The convicts had been sentenced to work on the castle's fortifications. The convicts were divided into two categories: those with minor sentences were categorised as "honest" and were allowed to work outside the castle walls; those serving sentences for violence, murder, arson or the like were categorised as "dishonest" and had to serve the full sentence doing hard physical labour inside the castle ramparts. Otherwise, they served their time under the same conditions: they all had to wear chains and spend nights in cold and damp dungeons. From January 17, 1772, to April 30, 1772, Kronborg was the place of imprisonment of [[Caroline Matilda of Great Britain|Queen Caroline Mathilde]], sister of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]], following the scandal of her affair with [[Johann Friedrich Struensee]].

As Kronborg's importance as a royal castle diminished, the armed forces came to play a greater role. From 1785 to 1922, the castle was completely under military administration. During this period, a number of renovations were completed.

===Sound Dues and recent history===
The captain of every ship sailing through the strait had to state the value of ship's cargo. Money that had to be paid to the King of Denmark, called [[Sound Dues]], was then calculated depending on the value of the cargo. The king had the right to buy the cargo for the price the ship's captain stated. This policy prevented captains from stating prices that were too low.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Haan | first1 = M.A. | last2 = Heijnen | first2 = P. | last3 = Schoonbeek | first3 = L. | last4 = Toolsema | first4 = L.A. | year = 2012 | title = Sound taxation? On the use of self-declared value | journal = European Economic Review | volume = 56 | issue = 2 | pages = 205–215 | doi = 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2011.09.003 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.143.6996 }}</ref> The [[Royal Danish Military Academy|Royal Danish Army]] left the castle in 1923, and after a thorough renovation it was opened to the public in 1938.

{{wide image | File:Kronborg pano.jpg | 700px | Panoramic view with the sound in the background}}

== Kronborg today ==
[[Image:KronborgCastle HCS.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Aerial Photo of Kronborg Castle|alt=]]

Kronborg Castle is located on the extreme northeastern tip of the island of [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]], to the northeast of the historic centre of the town of [[Helsingør]]. It is situated at an elevation of 12 metres,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://elevationmap.net/kronborg-kronborg-2c-3000-helsingor-denmark?latlngs=%2856.0390142,12.62115510000001%29 |title=Kronborg Elevation and Location |access-date=2015-02-26 |archive-date=2016-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007032158/http://elevationmap.net/kronborg-kronborg-2c-3000-helsingor-denmark?latlngs=%2856.0390142,12.62115510000001%29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> on a small [[Headland|foreland]] jutting out into the narrowest point of the [[Øresund]], the sound between the Danish island of Zealand and the Swedish [[Provinces of Sweden|province]] of [[Scania]], that was also Danish until 1658. The approach from the town is to the east, with a series of [[moat]]s and [[gate]]s protecting the route from the town to the castle itself.

=== Royal apartments ===
[[File:Kronborg - Königszimmer 1.jpg|thumb|left|The King's Chamber in 2008]]

The royal apartments are located on the first floor of the north wing. The apartments were originally furnished by [[Frederick II of Denmark and Norway|Frederick II]] around 1576, but after the fire in 1629, Christian IV had the apartments refurnished and richly decorated with ceiling [[painting]]s, stone [[portal (architecture)|portal]]s and [[chimneypiece]]s. The original floors were [[tile]]d in black and white which were replaced with wooden [[floorboards]] in 1760–61, and the walls were clad in [[leather wallpaper|gilt-leather]]. Today the chambers are furnished with [[Netherlands|Netherlandish]] furniture from the 17th century.

The King's Chamber has a [[bay window]], located right above the castle's main portal, from which the king could keep an eye on guests arriving at the castle, whereas the Queen's Chamber has access to a vaulted tower chamber overlooking the Flag Bastion.

=== Ballroom ===
[[File:Great Ballroom Kronborg 2018a.jpg|thumb|The Great Ballroom in 2018]]

Measuring 62 x 12 metres, the Ballroom was the largest hall in [[Northern Europe]] when it was completed in 1582. The walls are hung with a series of large paintings which were originally made from 1618 to 1631 for the Great Hall of [[Rosenborg Castle]] in [[Copenhagen]]. The paintings in the Ballroom include:<ref name="masterpieces">{{cite web|title=Photographs of the city of Helsingør, November 2016|url=https://independent-travellers.com/denmark/helsingor/|website=Independent Travellers|publisher=independent-travellers.com|access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> ''Children off to School'' by [[Francis Cleyn]], ''Feminine Pursuits'' by [[Reinhold Timm]], ''Riding at the Ring'' by [[Reinhold Timm]], ''A Boys School'' by [[Francis Cleyn]], ''A Wedding in a Church'' by [[Francis Cleyn]], ''An Academy for Noblemen'' by [[Reinhold Timm]], ''A Banquet'' (1622) by {{ill|Isaac Isaacsz|da}}.
The present floor and the fireplaces are from the rebuilding in 1924–38.

=== Little Hall ===
[[File:Little Hall Kronborg 2018b.jpg|thumb|left|The Little Hall with five of the seven tapestries in 2018]]

The walls of the Little Hall are furnished with seven tapestries originally from a series of forty tapestries portraying one hundred Danish kings. The masterpieces include ''[[:File:Oluf_2_of_Denmark_(Kronborg_tapestries).jpg|Tapestry depicting Oluf]]'' (1376–1387) and ''Tapestry depicting Knud VI'' (1182–1202).<ref name="masterpieces" /> The tapestries were commissioned by Frederick II around 1580. Seven more tapestries are at the [[National Museum of Denmark]], while the rest have been lost.

=== Chapel ===
[[File:Kronborg Chapel 2018a.jpg|thumb|The Chapel in 2018]]

The [[chapel]] is located in the ground floor of the south wing and was inaugurated in 1582. In 1785, as the castle was being fitted for use as [[army barracks]], the chapel was fitted out as a [[gym]]nasium and [[fencing]] hall and the furniture stored away. The chapel was refurnished with the original furniture in 1838 and reinaugurated in 1843.
{{clear}}

==Cultural significance==

===''Hamlet''===
Rendered as "Elsinore," actually the anglicised name of the surrounding town of [[Helsingør]], Kronborg serves as the setting of [[William Shakespeare]]'s tragedy ''[[Hamlet|Hamlet, Prince of Denmark]]''. The play has been performed at the castle several times.

''Hamlet'' was first staged at Kronborg in 1816, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare's death; it was performed by soldiers from the castle garrison, and staged in the telegraph tower in the castle's southwest corner. The play has since been performed several times in the courtyard and at various locations on the fortifications. Later performers to play [[Prince Hamlet|Hamlet]] at the castle include [[Laurence Olivier]], [[John Gielgud]], [[Christopher Plummer]], [[Derek Jacobi]], [[David Tennant]], and in 2009 [[Jude Law]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamletscenen at Kronborg Castle |title=Shakespeare at Hamlet's Castle - Prince of Denmark |url=https://hamletscenen.dk/en/performance/shakespeares_world_at_kronborg_castle/ |website=Shakespeare by HamletScenen |access-date=2015-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726021551/http://www.hamletscenen.dk/uk/welcome/hamletscenen-2016/|archive-date=2014-07-26 }}</ref> In 2017, Hamletscenen presented a production of ''Hamlet'' at Kronborg, directed by Lars Romann Engel; the role of Hamlet was played by [[Cyron Melville]] and music for the production was composed by [[Mike Sheridan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cphpost.dk/activities/marvelously-mashed-and-cleverly-cut-to-create-a-modernist-classic-hamlet.html|title=The Copenhagen Post - Danish News in English|website=cphpost.dk|language=da|access-date=2018-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113142/http://cphpost.dk/activities/marvelously-mashed-and-cleverly-cut-to-create-a-modernist-classic-hamlet.html|archive-date=2018-11-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Ogier the Dane===
[[File:Ogier the Dane - profile.jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|Statue of [[Ogier the Dane|Ogier]] in the castle's [[casemate]]s in 2010]]

According to a legend linked to Arthurian myth, a Danish king known as [[Ogier the Dane]] (Danish: ''Holger Danske''), was taken to [[Avalon]] by the [[Magician (fantasy)|enchantress]] [[Morgan le Fay]]. Ogier returned to rescue France from danger, then travelled to Kronborg castle, where he sleeps until he is needed to save his homeland. His beard has grown to extend along the ground. A statue of the sleeping Ogier (right) has been placed in the castle [[casemate]]s.<ref name="nordisk">The article ''[https://runeberg.org/nfbk/0516.html Holger Danske]'' in ''[[Nordisk familjebok]]'' (1909).</ref>

===Culture Harbour Kronborg===
[[Kulturhavn Kronborg]] is an initiative of 2013 to offer a variety of culture experiences to residents and visitors to [[Helsingør]]. [[Kulturhavn Kronborg]] is a joint initiative by Kronborg Castle, [[Danish Maritime Museum]], [[Kulturværftet]] and Helsingør harbour.<ref>[http://portofelsinore.com/culture-harbour-kronborg?lang=en Culture Harbour Kronborg] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322150315/http://portofelsinore.com/culture-harbour-kronborg?lang=en |date=2014-03-22 }}</ref>

===Other===
The castle was the setting of the televised holiday series ''Jul på Kronborg'' ({{langx|en|Christmas at Kronborg}}), which featured both Hamlet and Holger the Dane. 'Elsinore Beer' is named for the castle in the 1983 comedy ''[[Strange Brew]]'', starring [[Rick Moranis]] and [[Dave Thomas (actor)|Dave Thomas]].

== See also ==
[[File:Eckersberg Udsigt fra Kronborg Vold.jpg|thumb|''[[A View towards the Swedish Coast from the Ramparts of Kronborg Castle]]'' by [[Danish Golden Age]] artist [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]], 1829]]
* [[Kronborg Glacier]]
* [[List of castles and palaces in Denmark]]
* [[Tourism in Denmark]]
* [[Kronborg Tapestries]]

==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography
* {{cite journal |last=Donnelly |first=Marian C. |title=Theaters in the Courts of Denmark and Sweden from Frederik II to Gustav III |journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians |volume=43 |number=4 |date=December 1984|pages=328–340 | jstor=990041| doi=10.2307/990041 }}
* {{cite book| last=Mikkelsen| first=Birger| title=Kronborg|isbn=978-87-980466-2-2| location=Elsinore| publisher=Nordisk Forlag for Videnskab og Teknik| year=1997}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kronborg}}
*[http://www.kronborg.dk/english/ Kronborg Castle website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625024109/http://www.kronborg.dk/english/ |date=2013-06-25 }}
*[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/696 UNESCO's page on Kronborg Castle]
*[https://artsandculture.google.com/story/OgXBq0gJj8m88g Kronborg Castle] UNESCO Collection on Google Arts and Culture
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120224150321/http://remains.se/picturem.php?ObjectID=64&Browse=AREA Kronborg Castle picture gallery] at Remains.se
*[https://www.visitcastles.eu/ The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea]

{{Helsingør}}
{{Denmark castles and manor houses}}
{{Copenhagen museums}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the Kingdom of Denmark}}
{{Hamlet}}{{Castles in Denmark}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kronborg| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1585]]
[[Category:16th-century fortifications]]
[[Category:Castles in Denmark]]
[[Category:Forts in Denmark]]
[[Category:Helsingør]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Denmark]]
[[Category:1420s establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:15th-century establishments in Denmark]]
[[Category:Coastal fortifications]]
[[Category:Listed buildings and structures in Helsingør Municipality]]
[[Category:Star forts]]
[[Category:Museums in the Capital Region of Denmark]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Denmark]]
[[Category:Caroline Matilda of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Burned buildings and structures in Europe]]
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