Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg is the residence of the Danish royal family and also a palace. In 1794, there was a big fire in Christiansborg, forcing the royal members to seek refuge in Amalienborg. Afterwards, Frederick V decided to transform it into a magnificent rococo-style palace from its original four noble mansions. In commemoration of this monarch, a statue of Frederick V on horseback was erected in the center of Amalienborg Palace's octagonal square.
These four historic buildings include the palace of Christian VII, completed in 1754 and now used as the royal reception hall; the palace of Christian VIII; the palace of Christian IX, completed in 1758; and the palace of Frederick VIII, where Queen Ingrid resided.
The palace of Christian VIII was opened to the public in 1994, showcasing items used by the royal family before 1947. When the Danish flag is raised on the roof, it indicates that the queen is present in the palace. She might even be using binoculars to quietly observe the crowd on the square.
The Royal Guard Band departs from the palace at 11:30 am, passing through the old town and returning to the palace for the changing of the guard ceremony on the square. This unique program is a must-see.
Rosenberg
Rosenborg Palace, also known as the Rose Palace, is one of the iconic buildings in Copenhagen. Built in 1634 as a summer palace for Christian IV, the palace features Dutch Renaissance design with bronze roofs and red brick walls. Before the completion of Fredriksborg Castle by King Frederick IV, the first three generations of kings had lived here. Since 1883, Rosenborg Palace has served as the treasury for the successive kings, displaying various artifacts such as decorative items, lavish costumes, paintings, and ceramics. Visitors can admire the magnificent marble ceilings, priceless Dutch tapestries, silver lion sculptures, and precious golden utensils. Additionally, the Danish Crown is also kept in the palace's basement.
St. Peter's Church
Frederik's Church is one of the largest domed churches in Denmark, affectionately known as the "Marble Church" by the locals due to its extensive use of Danish and Norwegian marble.
The Marble Church is located opposite the Royal Palace Square in Copenhagen, facing the Amalienborg Palace. Upon entering the church, you will be amazed by its enormous dome, which has a diameter of 30 meters and is adorned with paintings of Jesus' twelve apostles. The interior decoration and artwork within the church are solemn and dignified, making you feel small and inevitably holding your breath while quietly appreciating the eternal, solemn, and divine beauty of religion.
Today, the church is dedicated to becoming a modern urban church and is open to the public every day. Additionally, it is an ideal venue for many couples to hold their weddings in Copenhagen.
Roskilde Cathedral
This famous cathedral is located in the city center and is the main tourist attraction in the Roskilde region, attracting up to 170,000 visitors annually. The history of the cathedral dates back over 1000 years, making it a longstanding tradition for Danes to visit. The cathedral that visitors see today was built by Archbishop Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen, in the 1170s, with the addition of various styles of porches and chapels. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Danish architectural art spanning 800 years. Since the early 15th century, the cathedral has been a favored burial place for the royal family, with all kings since the Reformation being buried here. In addition, since the Middle Ages, the cathedral has served as a royal burial site, with 39 kings and queens, including King Harald Bluetooth, King Sweyn Estridsen, and Queen Margaret I, buried here, many in magnificent stone coffins. In 1985, a new royal cemetery was built in the northwest corner of the cathedral, where the current Danish Queen Margrethe II's parents, King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, are buried.
