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| Monday we decided to explore the island of
Zealand. First on our list was Helsingor (or Elsinore), the
setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. The castle is officially known
as Kronborg Slot, and overlooks the sound separating Denmark from
Sweden. King Frederik II built Kronborg on the site of Krogen, an
earlier castle controlling ship's passage through the sound. Like
many other castles, it too suffered from a major fire (in 1629), which
destroyed almost everything except for the chapel. It was rebuilt
during the reign of Christian IV, only to be looted by the Swedes in
1658. It again underwent restoration in 1690 by Christian V, when
additional defensive measures were added. In later years,
Kronborg was also used as a prison, and from 1785-1923 as
army barracks. We bought tickets for the chapel and the casemates, and
otherwise spent our time walking along the fortifications between the
castle and the sea.
Holger Danske, who legends says will awaken to rescue Denmark In the casemates below the castle Krongborg is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. A bas-relief of the playwright greets visitors when they enter the castle. The cannons point towards Sweden, which is easily visible across the channel
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