Face To Face Encounter With Holger Danske

From 1060 on the French people wrote tales of great battles, of strength, courage, and Holger Danske. In the 1200s these epics were translated into Danish and with this, the Danish people came to know and love Holger Danske as a national symbol. Even H.C. Andersen wrote of Holger Danske’s valor and his love for Denmark. He is the ultimate Danish protector, one who is currently in a deep sleep lest Denmark once again requires his assistance.

Until the day when he rises again to defend the homeland, Holger Danske sits in colossal stone form in the cavernous dark and slightly eerie casemates under Kronborg Castle.

It is to that very castle that the four of us (my Mom, Ole, Birgitte, and I) ventured to on Thursday the 21st. Know to many as Hamlet’s castle, Kronborg was not only the setting where Shakespeare placed the tragedy of the Danish prince, but was a very strategically placed income collector in Helsingør for the Royal crown.

In times of old, when the Kingdom of Denmark controlled both sides of the Øresund it was at this point that they pleasantly collected tariffs from vessels passing through these Danish waters. With Kronborgs massive defenses, countless cannons, and multitude of soldiers that were stationed there, avoidance of the tariffs was quite uncommon. Thus the tariffs from this area provided the majority of the crown’s income at that point in history.

It was a beautiful day, with the Danish flag flying against a crisp blue sky, highlighting the sheer power and beauty of this Danish fortress. There is quite a lot to see at Kronborg. From the Royal chambers, the casemates, the chapel, and the Maritime museum we were there until closing time.

I truly love going to places such as this; having been studying Danish history for the year, each room you step into is more than just an artfully decorated room from days of old, but a living embodiment of the stories and events I have learned so much about.

The picture above is the view from the roof. On the horizon is Sweden. From the proximity to the distant shore one can definitely see why this location was strategically chosen.

Our visit to Kronborg Castle was the last stop on my Mom’s Danish adventure, and she flew back to Florida the next morning. It was wonderful having her here and being able to share my life in Denmark with her.

As always, I must thank my host parents, Ole and Birgitte, for showing us Denmark in a way we would not otherwise see it.

Vi Ses!

Fredensborg Castle and Grounds

On Thursday morning, the 21st, we stopped on our way to Helsingør to show my Mom Fredensborg castle.

As always I am amazed at how trusting the royal family is, allowing people to leisurely wander their vast estates. Only in Denmark could you walk past the royal children’s playground, walk down the royal boating dock, or just wander through the estate.

Fredensborg is a quite peaceful place to be, and thus it was a great way to start our day. We wandered through the grounds, observing evidence of the royal inhabitants , swans, and the signs of a green spring that were slowly emerging all around us.

Vi Ses!

Dyrehaven Og Bakken!

One of the things I love so much about Denmark is the accessibility to parks, and historical places, including places still owned by the royal family. To have access to the winding walks of such estates is terrific, particularly as the weather here in Denmark warms up. I have grown to love meandering down garden paths, so it shouldn't too surprising that in the warm weather my plans consist of enjoying the natural beauty of Denmark.

On Wednesday Ole and Birgitte had planned an adventure for the four of us, and I only knew when we pulled up to a great red gate where we were headed. Dyrehaven is a park that was established to be the location of Royal deer hunts. Complete with a majestic hunting lodge called Eremitageslottet and a countless number of deer, this great estate is open to the public.

(Walking up to Eremitageslottet)

(one of many groups of deer we saw while on our walk)

Yet this is not the only thing one can stumble upon in the woods of Dyrehaven, for in 1583 the first amusement park in the world opened its gates, on the edge of this Royal hunting ground. This amusement park called Bakken, or Dyrehavsbakken, is truly "magical". The ambiance which is created by walking through the forest of Dyrehaven to Bakken past a Royal hunting lodge, deer, and horse drawn carriages is quite unique.

(one of the paths to Bakken)

I could tell by the sounds of merriment that we were nearing Bakken, far before I could see it through the trees. And then suddenly it emerged from the woods, complete with the old world charm of a horse drawn carriage dropping off a family. (horse drawn carriage is to the left in the above picture)

As always in places like this I become a little kid again. Wide eyed at the world around me, still trying to contemplate an amusement park in the woods.

(my celebratory ice cream marking our trip to Bakken as well as the coming of warmer weather to Copenhagen - complete with a flødebolle)

Ole, Birgitte, my Mom, and I acquired some ice cream and walked around Bakken. We slowly took in the happiness in children's faces, as well as the excitement in both adults and children alike.

For those akin to me, who love old world charm but still love a good carnival, Bakken is the perfect place. While Disney world may have the latest and greatest plastic models of your favorite movie character, I prefer the walk through the woods, past a royal hunting lodge, horses and deer to get to a wooden roller coaster, from which the view is just tree tops.

Vi Ses!