Portal:Denmark/Selected article/Week 48, 2006



Kronborg Castle (56.2°N, 12.37°W) is situated near the town of Helsingør (or Elsinore) on the north eastern tip of Zealand, guarding the narrowest point of the Øresund strait between Denmark and Sweden. At this location, the strait is a mere four kilometres wide, hence the strategic importance of maintaining a fortress at this location. The castle has for centuries been one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list on November 30, 2000.

The castle's story dates back to a fortress, Krogen, built in the 1420s by the Danish king, Eric of Pomerania. The king demanded payment of Sound Dues by all ships entering or exiting the Baltic and to enforce this demand, he erected a powerful fortress the entrance to the Baltic.

Kronborg acquired its current name in 1585 when it was rebuilt by King Frederick II into a magnificent renaissance castle unique in its appearance and size throughout Europe.

In 1629, a moment's carelessness by two workmen caused much of the Castle to go up in flames. Only the Chapel was spared by the strength of its arches. King Christian IV put great efforts into restoring the castle and by 1639 the exterior was magnificent once again but the interior never fully regained its former glory.

The Swedish conquest of Kronborg in 1658, by Wrangel, demonstrated that the Castle was far from impregnable. Afterwards, the defences were strengthened significantly. From 1688-90, 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.

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