Kronborg Castle (Hamlet's Castle), Kronborg, Denmark
Date Visited: June 4, 2017
Time Spent: 4 hours
Collection: Royal Palace, Tapestries, Shakespeare's Ghost
To museum, or not to museum... That's often a question for me when I'm travelling. Lol JK it's never a question whether or not to museum, the answer is always yes. If you're visiting Copenhagen, and you graduated high school without completely despising Shakespeare, then you absolutely must get thee Kronborg Castle.
Obviously the castle has more history than just the location of Shakespeare's famous play. But who are we kidding, I went to see Hamlet in all his crazy glory.
In the summer months, the castle offers daily reenactments of Hamlet in little tidbits around the castle, making the play come alive! For all of you who think Shakespeare is boring, you need to see it in person- You can actually understand what's going on as opposed to reading all those strange old English words on paper. The obviously, of course, picked very attractive lads and lasses to play the roles which definitely helped this very single girl.
My body is ready, Laertes
With these reenactments, you have the option to just be surprised as you explore the castle, or you can be like me and furiously chase after them based on the schedule. Yes, you may look like a fool doing it, but also having free WiFi makes the Snapchat and Instagram needs real.
I'd settle for Hamlet too, I guess
The castle itself is a masterpiece. The stonework and state of preservation is absolutely stunning. Be sure to check out the collection of Royal Tapestries for some old school propaganda, and to climb the tower for your chance to gaze over the land in a kingly fashion. Sweden isn't far off the coast, so you can dream of mighty battles and worlds unknown!
Once you're completed with the inside of the castle, make sure to take a stroll around the grounds. If you're brave enough, climb the rocks by the water and dip your toes in but beware, they're slippery when wet. The moat is formidable, and you can almost see the tree from which Ophelia may have plummeted to her death.
Sup Sweden?
Probably one of the coolest features of the castle, you know, once you're all Shakespeare'd out (if that's a possibility), is the Castemates. These are underground passageways below the castle. They haven't added much lighting down there so you're pretty much left to confront your deepest, darkest fears. I finally witnessed what pure darkness felt like- mostly because I was foolish enough to head straight into the darkest corner #ForScience. In such darkness, one even starts muttering: "To die, to sleep- to sleep, perchance the chance to dream..." and you quickly realize how much you love the sun, but it doesn't stop you from exploring further!
A great feature of the Castemates is the incorporation of the Holger Danske legend. His looming, etherial statue is the first thing you see when you climb down into the tunnels, and the first half of your exploration is met with ghost-like phrases and prophecies regarding the story. It's perfect for anyone with a curious mind. One feels like you've gone back in time to a magical place where legends like this are moments away from actualizing.
I made his extra large or extra effect
Overall, this last minute trip ended up being the highlight of my trip to Denmark. As always, I owe Google my life for such amazing search results. Castle-ing is always fun and one should do it whenever the chance arises.
And the rest, my friends, is silence
Commentaires