Hamlet Castle and Railway Spiral to Copenhagen Denmark (Visit 1) (#44)

We took three trains to get to Copenhagen.

This train rode on a descending railway spiral that we went under to get oriented the right direction.

We played cards the first 1/2 of the trip, and the second 1/2 we talked to Briget and Uno who were on a weekend holiday away from their kids. We were trying to figure out if we would go over the water by train and bridge, and the answer was both.

The plates my grandmother collected and bought when she was abroad were made in Copenhagen. This is the 75th anniversary.

Changing of the Guard in front of the King and Queen's palace.

Viking Ship Museum boat assembly recreation

Original Viking boat found submerged possibly as a barrier to boats trying to enter the shallow habor.

Roskilde Domkirke - the largest cathedral in Denmark

Nobles and paying practitioners are buried in floors and walls throughout the church.

One eyed king and descendents buried in coffins in the church. The king was to be buried in a special memorial that burned shortly before his death.

Model of the current abdicated Queen Margaret II coffin when she dies.

Frederiksborg Castle

Insignia for Charles IV- the Builder King

Windy app said the winds were gusting up to 25knots. We were glad we are heading through this passage tomorrow when the winds are calm.

Krongborg Castle

Hamlet was based here even though Shakespeare never came here. The depictions of the castle are accurate so historians think he was given a thorough descriptions from someone who had been to the castle.

Cannons pointing at ships (and Sweden) that weren't paying their taxes across the 4KM pasage.

Swedish ferry takes passengers back and forth in 20 minutes in the narrowest passage between 2 countries at 4km.

The ballroom was mostly empty. After this shot, we had three actors come in and act out part of Hamlet in this room. Quite a treat. Our tour guide said he'd been giving the tour for two years and never had that happen.

Laura's new favorite female leader - Princess Margarite of Denmark. She claimed the throne after everyone around her died, but also created the most properous time in Denmark by establishing the Kalmar Union that untited Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway for over a centure.

Laura went in to see this medieval church that has remained intact.

The figurines are all a bit unusual.

The next day on our ferry we planned to pass this castle by water.

Copenhagen- 3 nights

Pros: Great one day trip to castles, informative walking guide, fun boat tour

Cons: Not enough time

Five Stars