About 40 minutes from Copenhagen, in the Northern town of Hillerød, lies the majestic Frederiksberg Castle right in the middle of the old part of town. I had never visited, but remember admiring it from a jigsaw puzzle I had as a child. It was obviously closed due to Covid, but what a beautiful day to spend Christmas Day, the 25th. Having had our Christmas celebration on the 24th as usual, it was wonderful to get out in the glorious, but cold weather!

“Frederiksborg Castle (Danish: Frederiksborg Slot) is a palatial complex in Hillerød, Denmark. It was built as a royal residence for King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway in the early 17th century, replacing an older castle acquired by Frederick II and becoming the largest Renaissance residence in Scandinavia. On three islets in the Slotssøen (castle lake), it is adjoined by a large formal garden in the Baroque style.

After a serious fire in 1859, the castle was rebuilt on the basis of old plans and paintings. Thanks to public support and the brewer J. C. Jacobsen, its apartments were fully restored and reopened to the public as the Danish Museum of National History in 1882. Open throughout the year, the museum contains the largest collection of portrait paintings in Denmark. It also provides visitors with an opportunity to visit several of the castle’s state rooms including the restored Valdemar Room and Great Hall as well as the Chapel and the Audience Chamber which were both largely spared by the fire and contain sumptuous decorations.” Wikipedia