Reserved for honest rest between periods of work. That’s what the sign above the entrance to Bernstorff Palace says. This palace whispers tales of counts, kings, and a transformation from a summer residence to a modern hotel and conference center.
Bernstorff Palace stands as one of the earliest and finest examples of neoclassicism in Europe. It is located in Gentofte, in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen. Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff built it in the mid-18th century. He served as Foreign Minister under Denmark’s King Frederick V.
Imagine Count Bernstorff. He was not only a powerful figure in Danish politics but also passionate about gardens. He designed the palace’s garden in the French Rococo style. Roses bloomed in the rose garden. Guests relaxed in the tea house and enjoyed the orchard. Count Bernstorff even imported fruit trees and vegetables from France and the Netherlands. Rare trees and shrubs, unseen before in Denmark, also found their home here.
Nicolas-Henri Jardin, a French architect, designed Bernstorff Palace. He had been brought to Denmark to complete Frederick’s Church in Copenhagen. The palace was completed in 1765. The two-story building had decorative garrets and a wide balcony. A dome-covered projection rose on the garden side.
Inside Bernstorff Palace, the rooms were modest. They were intended for domestic use. Panelled walls, parquet floors, large mirrors, and decorated ceilings adorned the rooms. Johan Edvard Mandelberg decorated the overdoors in the four rooms on the south side.
Bernstorff’s time in Denmark ended in 1770. He was dismissed by the regent, Johann Friedrich Struensee. The Bernstorff family owned the palace until 1812.
In 1842, King Christian VIII purchased Bernstorff Palace. He saved it from demolition and renovated it. Jørgen Hansen Koch added a mezzanine. The first-floor rooms were redesigned. The palace became a summer residence for the royal family.
King Christian IX used Bernstorff Palace as his preferred summer residence. Tsar Alexander III of Russia and Edward VII of the United Kingdom visited. In 1888, Queen Louise bought the Swedish pavilion after the Nordic Exhibition. It served as guest quarters.
Prince Valdemar inherited the palace in 1906. He continued to use it as a summer residence until 1939. Princess Margaret of Denmark, Prince Valdemar’s youngest child, was born here at Bernstorff Palace.
For 70 years, Bernstorff Palace was not open to the public. The Danish Emergency Management Agency used it as an academy for non-commissioned officers.
But in 2009, Bernstorff Palace was transformed into a hotel and conference venue. Now, it welcomes guests to experience its rich history.
The palace gardens evolved over time. Initially, they were laid out in the Romantic landscape style. Christian IX replaced the exotic varieties with Danish oak and beech trees.
Today, you can explore the Bernstorffsparken. It is a large public park. You can walk through forested areas, open fields, and gardens. The Swedish Villa houses a café and an art gallery.
So, take a stroll through Bernstorff Palace’s grounds. Imagine the palace’s past. A grand palace, Bernstorff stands as a testament to Danish history and architectural beauty.