Castles!

It has been a while since we've been able to post. Our internet connection has been playing tricks on us! We're back on-line now, though!
This past weekend we took a trip to the northern tip of Sjaelland (the island of Denmark just west of us) into the cities of Hillerod and Helsingor where we visited and explored some amazing castles!!
First we journeyed up to Hillerod and visited Frederiksborg Castle.




The roof is a little green because it's copper and it is showing the effects of the weather it has endured. On the opposite side of the castle they are currently cleaning/redoing the roof. Doesn't it just look so magnificent?


This photo shows the space and waterway just past the first gate into the castle. Just like in the movies! To me this really was pretty cool because it shows layers of defense and it really was like a flash for me as we stepped into history!



This is the outer courtyard area. You can see we still had to go through another gate to get inside the castle's inner courtyard. And here, a big fountain!



We arrived in Hillerod and to the castle a while before the castle and museum opened. The gardens and those gates we've already guided you through are open earlier. It's just the final wall and the castle itself that were still closed to this point. This photo is from behind the castle in the Royal Gardens.



Here we are behind the castle on a little bridge over the fountain flow in the gardens!


From nearly the farthest back spot in the gardens. There are ponds, those curious trees, some impeccably kept bushes and garden arrangements.



This is a section of the manicured garden. You can see that, from above, there are symbols in the design to represent each member in the Royal family.



At 11am we made our way inside the final wall into the inner courtyard of the castle and on into the castle and through the museum! Here we are on one of the breezeways passing from one section of the castle to another! From here we are going to go into the castle chapel.



This is the inside of the chapel from the upstairs balcony. If only all the detail could be shown in this picture! It was amazing how intricate every little section was designed and decorated.



This is a photo of the pipes for the organ! This shows more of the detail. Imagine this throughout the entire chapel!



I just had to include this one!! Although this is not a part of the castle, I know... we're all surprised, it was in a little park just a short walk away from the castle. My wonderful husband is always working to fulfill some of my life goals and dreams. Taking a trip on an elephant is one of those dreams, and while this might not completely fulfill that dream, it's a step!

Next we took a train into Helsingor, Denmark where we explored the Kronborg Castle. This castle is also known as "Hamlet's Castle" as it is the setting place for William Shakespeare's well-known work. Very cool to actually be in the same place!!



Here, the bridge and first gate into the castle. You can see part of the castle above the hill!



This is the main/tallest tower on this castle, rising FAR above the crest of the hill.



And for all the engineers and history buffs out there, here we have a true treasure! This is the only original wall in Kronborg Castle, constructed in 1420!! This castle suffered a major fire and was entirely reconstructed...all but this one wall! Those words are projected up on the wall to announce this amazing fact. This wall was, originally one of the kitchen walls. Now it serves as the starting point for the guided tours of the casements (basement).



Here we have a statue representing a national hero, "Holger Danske" who sleeps here now (and for the past 100 years). As legend has it, he will awake in Denmark's hour of need and defend her.



We were delighted to see that the museum in Kronborg had a section just for visiting children! There is a room where the children can color, draw, build with legos, etc. And just off that room was a little play castle for those who are short enough to enter... :o)



Being on the very northern tip of the island, this castle was ready to defend! And that is just the front line of defense!



Here we are from in the castle's tower! This is where we took the picture of the canons, just before this picture.



Behind the castle, with the Baltic Sea behind us! It was quite windy!

That fills you in on our Saturday adventure this past weekend! We'll post another blog VERY soon to show you parts of our Copenhagen exploration on Sunday! Until then, goodnight!