On the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark, travelers will find the Dutch city of Helsingor. This rather small city is situated on the coast of the Oresund Strait, which is commonly known in English as the Sound. Helsingor is internationally famous thanks to the talent and works of one of the most notable poets and writers in the history of humanity – William Shakespeare. Presumably, the story of one of the most notable works of Shakespeare, Hamlet, takes place in Helsingor. Chances are that the general public would have known nothing about this small Danish city if Hamlet had never been written. Nowadays, Helsingor is a large port city with a well-developed shipbuilding industry. Despite its modest size, the city is not deprived of historic landmarks that never stop attracting travelers.
According to the chronicles of the 17th century, which have survived in Denmark, a small settlement called Helsinborg existed on the site of the modern city already in the 70s BC. However, there is no proof of this fact. First mentions of the Danish town in books date back to the 30s of the 13th century. At that time, King Valdemar II was the ruler in the country. Its market was the main source of income for the new town – local people were mostly selling fish there. The first church in the territory of modern Helsingor appeared yet in 1200. Later, monasteries appeared around this church.
Without a doubt, Kronborg Castle is the most notable and famous landmark in Helsingor. This is one of the most important Renaissance period castles in Northern Europe. The history of this building is quite interesting. When Kronborg castle was yet Krogen stronghold, its main purpose was to collect “sound dues”, taxes that ship captains had to pay whenever they wanted to enter or leave the Baltic Sea. However, when the castle was reconstructed and made bigger during the reign of Frederick II, Kronborg Castle became an important building, the fame about which quickly spread in Europe.
In modern times, the doors of the castle are open for locals and guests of the city who want to step into the world of history, grandeur, and power in order to feel like a nobleman walking in the corridors of the stone giant. Besides that, there is now the Maritime Museum of Denmark in this castle. It exhibits various rare items and artifacts that sailors used in the past and the regalia that they received for their sea adventures. Visitors can explore numerous rooms of the castle, its halls, and even go down to the dungeon. That being said, the Royal Apartments are the most impressive part of the complex.
Do you want to feel like a real royal? In this case, don’t forget to visit Marienlyst Castle, another notable attraction that Helsingor can offer to its guests. This magnificent building was named after Queen Juliana Maria, the second wife of King Frederik V. Initially, the castle was built as a residence for hunting and pleasure. King Christian of Denmark decided to rebuild the castle, turning it into an enchanting neoclassic building with a stunning garden and park area surrounding it.
However, Count Adam Moltke purchased the estate in the middle of the 18th century. The count asked his architect to reconstruct the building. This is how Marienlyst Castle got the façade that we can see nowadays, as well as many other interesting elements of design. Nowadays, the castle is open for guests. Starting from the 30s of the previous century, a museum dedicated to the history and development of the region has been open in the building. In this museum, visitors can see old silver tableware. In the past, the royal guests of the castle used it during their stay in Marienlyst. Besides various kitchen items, visitors will see paintings, various sculptures, and even royal furniture.
Every year, a festival dedicated to William Shakespeare takes place in Helsingor. As it is not hard to guess, Hamlet is the main play that visitors can watch during the event. The popular festival is held in Kronborg Castle. A giant scene appears in the middle of a big yard, and all actors are welcome to participate in the famous Shakespeare’s play. For ten days in August, guests of the festival can watch not only theatrical plays but also various new films based on the works of the great poet.
If you decide to spend your vacation in Helsingor, it is possible to reach this city by train from the Danish capital. The ride isn’t long because the distance between these two cities is only fifty kilometers. If you travel in a car, choose road E47 that connects Copenhagen and Helsingor. The ride will last approximately one hour.
