Zealand, Denmark - Kronborg slot

Located in the city of Helsingor, Kronborg Slot was the setting for Hamlet. It's main purpose was to extract tolls from the ships that passed through the narrow Oresund straight. It was originally built in a smaller version in the 1420's, but revenues collected enabled the enlargement in the 1570's to the present structure. It is surrounded by a moat and a high wall, and makes for an impressive sight from land or sea (I took the ferry over from Sweden here). Hesingor is about a 30 minute drive north of Copenhagen.

   Zealand, Denmark - Frederiksborg slot

Just about 20 minutes west of Helsingor is Hillerod, the home of Frederiksborg Slot. This Dutch Renaissance castle sits on three small island on the east side of Lake Slotso. Parts of the castle date from the 1560's, while most of the visible structure comes from the 1600's. The top photo shows a good shot of the fortress proper, while the bottom photo shows the main building on the site, including the church on the left side of it. Neptune Fountain is in the foreground.

This castle was the home of Danish royalty for more than a century. It was restored by JC Jacobsen, the owner of Carlsberg beer.

   Zealand, Denmark - Roskilde domkirke

The first church on the site dated from about 960. The present one, with an exterior of red brick, was begun a little more than two centuries later under Archbishop Absalon. Architecturally it is of great interest because of the many styles it represents. The graves of most of the Danish kings and queens of the Oldenburg and Glucksburg dynasties are here; Queen Margaret's tomb is behind the altar.

   Zealand, Denmark - Nikolaj kirke

Hans Tausen, the 16th-century Danish religious reformer and student of Martin Luther, introduced the doctrines of the Reformation to his native land in churches in Copenhagen and Viborg, including this 13th-century structure. It lay in ruins from 1795, when it was swept by fire until reconstruction was undertaken during World War I.