Fredensborg Palace
Fredensborg Palace was built as a hunting seat for King Frederik IV by the architect J.C. Krieger in 1719. The main building was inaugurated in 1722 and the chapel in 1726.
It was rebuilt and extended during the reigns of King Christian VI, and King Frederik V and his Queen Juliane Marie by the architects N.Eigtved, L de Thurah and C.F. Harsdorf.
After Queen Juliane Marie’s death in 1796 the Palace was rarely used. It was not until the reign of King Christian IX and Queen Louise that the Palace became the setting for the life of the Royal Family for lengthy periods. “Europe’s parents-in-law” gathered their daughters and sons-in-law, all of whom represented many of Europe’s Royal and Princely Houses, at Fredensborg Palace every summer. Now the present Royal Family uses the palace for three months in the spring and three in the autumn.
Fredensborg Palace is often the setting for important events in the life of the Royal Family. It is here they celebrate weddings, silver wedding anniversaries and birthdays. The Queen receives Heads of State from all over the world at Fredensborg during State Visits. Here too Ambassadors of foreign countries present their credentials to the Queen. When foreign Heads of State spend the night at the palace, there is an old tradition that the State Visitor scratches his or her name with a diamond on a pane of window glass, as people mischievously in did in days gone by.
HM The Queen has maintained the age-old tradition that the Chapel should be open for members of Asminderød-Grønholt parishes, and a church service is held almost every Sunday.
The Palace gardens cover just under 300 acres, and were originally laid out by J.C. Krieger. It was reorganised by N. Jardin in the 1760’s and has since been adapted frequently to the changing tastes of the times. Today the main features of the original garden have been recreated.
Most of the sculptures in the garden are by the great Nordic neoclassical sculptor, J. Wiedewelt. In the “Valley of the Norsemen” there are 68 sandstone figures of Norwegian and Faroese farmers and fishermen. These figures were originally carved by the sculptor J.G. Grund. They were re-carved at the end of the 1900’s from original casts.
In 1995 an “Orangery” was built adjacent to the Palace kitchen garden. It serves as storage for tender plants in the winter, and flowers are grown here to decorate the various palaces.
Guided tours
Guided tours in Fredensborg Palace & Palace Garden 2004
For the Summer 2004 admission to Fredensborg Palace & the Palace Garden (including the Vegetable Garden & the Orangery) can be obtained as follows:
The Palace
The Palace (including the Palace Chapel) will be open to the public weekdays and Sundays in July 13.00 – 17.00 (last tour 16.30). Admission fee: Adults: DKK. 40.-; children: DKK. 15.-. Guided tours only. No advance booking.
Mornings 10.00 – 12.00 are reserved for groups (min. 12, max. 25 persons). Advance booking necessary. Admission fee (DKK. 550.- per group) to be paid in advance. Reservations on telephone +45 33 40 31 87, fax +45 48 47 54 70, mail
nce@ses.dk. Duration of guided tours: Approximately 35 minutes.
Please note: Services will be held in the Chapel on most Sundays during the year (exept for the month of July). All services are open to the public.
The Vegetable Garden & the Orangery
The Vegetable Garden & the Orangery will be open to the public weekdays and Sundays in July 13.00 – 17.00 (last tour 16.20). Admission fee: Adults: DKK. 40.-; children: DKK. 15.-. Guided tours only. No advance booking.
Mornings 10.00 – 12.00 are reserved for groups (min. 12, max. 50 persons). Advance booking is necessary. Admission fee (DKK. 750.- per group of 12 – 25 persons and DDK. 1.500,- per group of 26 – 50 persons) to be paid in advance. Reservations on telephone +45 33 40 31 87, fax +45 48 47 54 70, mail
nce@ses.dk. Duration of guided tours: Approximately 45 minutes.
The Reserved Garden
The Reserved Garden (The Royal Family’s private garden) is open to the public in July (weekdays and Sundays 09.00 – 17.00). Free admission.
Free admission to the Palace Garden all the year round.
For further information please visit the Palaces and Properties Agency's website:
www.ses.dk
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