Christiansborg Palace - Symbol of Power
Discover more Copenhagen – Christiansborg Palace
Once the palace was home to kings and queens, and now Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of State and the Royal Receptions. It is located on the small islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, by the Copenhageners called the Island of Power, and it is a unique building in Danish history and politics.
Today it houses the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), the Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister’s Office, but parts of it are also used by the Danish monarchy for state functions—making it the only building in the world to house all three branches of a country’s government.
Early History and Earlier Palaces
The site’s history goes back to the late Middle Ages. Around 1167, Bishop Absalon, founder of Copenhagen, built a fortified castle here. This fortress stood for more than 200 years until it was destroyed in 1369 by the Hanseatic League.
In the late 14th century, Copenhagen Castle replaced Absalon’s fortress. This was a more modest royal residence but served as a center of royal power for centuries. Over time, it became outdated and cramped, and by the early 1700s King Christian VI wanted a grander symbol of absolute monarchy.
First Christiansborg Palace (1733–1794)
Christian VI commissioned the First Christiansborg Palace in 1733, designed in the lavish Baroque style by architect Elias David Häusser. Completed in 1745, it was the largest palace in Northern Europe at the time. However, in 1794 a devastating fire destroyed much of the building, forcing the royal family to move to Amalienborg Palace, where they still reside.
Second Christiansborg Palace (1803–1884)
Work on a new palace began in 1803 under architect Christian Frederik Hansen in the Neoclassical style. It was completed in 1828 and served various governmental functions, as the monarchy no longer lived there. This second palace, too, met a fiery fate—it burned down in 1884, leaving only the chapel intact.
Third (Present) Christiansborg Palace (1907–present)
The current Christiansborg was built between 1907 and 1928, designed by Thorvald Jørgensen in a Historicist style that blends Baroque and Neoclassical elements, referencing its predecessors. This palace was built for democratic governance rather than royal residence, though the monarchy still uses parts of it for ceremonial purposes.
What You Can Visit
Christiansborg Palace offers a range of attractions, many open to the public. All the outside area is open to the public:
The Royal Reception Rooms – Used by the Royal Family and the politicians for official state events, including meetings, receptions, banquets and audiences. The rooms are richly decorated, featuring the Great Hall with Bjørn Nørgaard’s modern tapestries depicting Denmark’s history.
The Royal Stables – Dating back to the 18th century, these stables still house the royal horses and display historic carriages.
The Palace Chapel – The palace chapel is a Neoclassical masterpiece surviving from the second palace, used for royal ceremonies like christenings.
The Ruins – Archaeological remains of Absalon’s fortress and Copenhagen Castle can be explored beneath the palace.
The Parliament and Supreme Court – Guided tours offer insight into Denmark’s political system.
The Tower – The Tower is the second tallest in Copenhagen, offering panoramic views of the city, and free to visit.
The Royal Library Garden – The Royal Library Garden is a public garden dating to the 1920s, it is a delightful green oasis in this historic part of the city.
The Royal Kitchen – The Royal Kitchen is where you can have a unique look behind the scenes of the royal parties and celebrations.
Christiansborg Palace thus stands as a layered monument to Denmark’s transformation—from medieval fortress to royal palace to modern center of democracy—each incarnation shaped by fire, politics, and changing times.
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