Frederiksborg Castle

Hillerod · Denmark · Tier A

Frederiksborg Castle, a A-tier castle in Denmark

Frederiksborg Castle rises on three islets in the Slotssoen lake at Hillerod, north of Copenhagen, its red-brick towers and sandstone spires reflected in the water. King Frederick II established a residence here around 1560; his son Christian IV demolished it in 1599 and raised the grand Renaissance palace completed around 1620, the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. The castle chapel hosted Danish royal coronations from 1671 to 1840, and the 1720 Treaty of Frederiksborg ending the Great Northern War was signed within its walls.

A fire on 16 December 1859 gutted most interiors; restoration was funded partly by Carlsberg brewer J.C. Jacobsen. The castle today houses Denmark's largest portrait collection as the Museum of National History, open to visitors year-round.

Official site · Wikipedia

Visitor information

Location
Hillerod
Country
Denmark
Tier
A (Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip)
Coordinates
55.935, 12.3012
Official site
https://dnm.dk/

Frequently asked questions

Where is Frederiksborg Castle?
Frederiksborg Castle is in Hillerod, Denmark (approximately 55.935, 12.3012).
Can you visit Frederiksborg Castle?
Yes — Frederiksborg Castle is open to visitors; see the official site at https://dnm.dk/ for hours and tickets.
What tier is Frederiksborg Castle on the Castle Atlas?
Frederiksborg Castle is rated A tier on the Castle Atlas — Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip.
What can you see at Frederiksborg Castle?
Frederiksborg Castle rises on three islets in the Slotssoen lake at Hillerod, north of Copenhagen, its red-brick towers and sandstone spires reflected in the water. King Frederick II established a residence here around 1560; his son Christian IV demolished it in 1599 and raised the grand Renaissance palace completed around 1620, the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. The castle chapel hosted Danish royal coronations from 1671 to 1840, and the 1720 Treaty of Frederiksborg ending the Great Northern War was signed within its walls.

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The Castle Atlas
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Methodology

A castle here means anything Wikipedia lists as a castle — which often includes fortresses, palaces, monasteries, and châteaux. The list also includes historicist creations like Neuschwanstein, but only when their main construction was completed before the 20th century.

All castles are sorted into tiers based on nothing but the author’s vibe and whim. Feel free to rearrange them however you personally see fit. Ultimately, the criteria were not historical significance or defensive capability, but how exciting a visit there would likely be.