Amalienborg Palace

The palace square with the royal guard Photo: Ted Fahn

Amalienborg is a real royal castle although it doesn't have towers and spires. This is where the Queen lives during the winter season and it is also the venue of the famous balcony scenes, which take place whenever the royal family seizes the occasion to greet the people. Even though the castle is primarily the residence of the royal couple, visitors have the chance to experience some of the royal chambers that are not in daily use.

Long running history

Amalienborg takes its name after Quen Sophie Amalie, who had the country seat Sophie Amalienborg built on the site. The castle burned to the ground in 1689, while the castle garden continued to exist until 1748, when it had to give way to Frederiksstaden (City of Frederik). This new neighbourhood was built by Frederik on the occasion of the Oldenburg royal family's 300^th anniversary. The castle edifices were originally built as manor houses for the nobility but after the castle of Christiansborg, which today houses the parliament, burned downed, the palaces became the property of the royal family. Today audiences can visit 2 of the 4 palaces: Christian VIII's palace, which is partially organized as a museum for the Glücksburg royal family and Christian VII's palace, which is used by the Queen as guest and representation venue and is regularly open for visitors. You can also choose to just take in the castle from the outside, where the equestrian statue of Frederik V thrones in the middle of the castle square and where the change of guard takes place every day around noon.