Picture this. You stand before Charlottenlund Slot. Its elegant facade whispers tales of royal life. Charlottenlund Slot a former royal summer residence. It stands proudly just north of Copenhagen.
This majestic palace began its life much more humbly. King Christian IV established a deer park here in 1622. This was to replace the Rosenborg Deer Park. It went by several names. The King’s new deer park at Skovshoved was one. Another was Gentofte deer park by the beach. Yet another was the small deer park at Ibstrub.
The deer park later became Gyldenlund. Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve a son of King Frederick III owned it. He even built a summer residence on the grounds. The exact spot is unknown. It’s believed to have been where the current palace stands. Later King Frederick III reclaimed it. He used it for hunting and summer retreats.
Princess Charlotte Amalie a sister of King Christian VI inherited Gyldenlund in 1730. She had the old buildings replaced. A new Baroque style palace was built. This construction took place between 1731 and 1733. Engineer Officer H H Scheel oversaw the project. Johan Cornelius Krieger is thought to have designed it. Many building materials came from the demolition of Copenhagen Castle.
For years Charlottenlund Palace served as a home for Louise Charlotte and Prince William of Hesse-Kassel. The park unusually for a royal residence remained open to the public. Throughout the 19th century it was a popular Sunday destination for Copenhageners.
In 1869 Crown Prince Frederick and his wife Lovisa of Sweden took over. Both Christian X of Denmark and Haakon VII of Norway were born here. Ferdinand Meldahl undertook a significant renovation in 1880-81. The palace was then adapted to the French Renaissance style. The Queen Dowager Louise lived here until her death in 1926.
The royal family stopped using the palace in 1935. The Danish Biological Station took it over. It later became the Danish Fishery Survey and then DTU Aqua. The palace now hosts cultural events. The Great Hall even holds classical concerts sometimes.
The palace grounds cover 14.2 hectares. The original Baroque garden changed into a Romantic English style garden in the 1880s. There are many smaller structures. These include an ice house and a yellow thatched building. This has served as a wash house and a guard house.
Today Charlottenlund Slot continues to enchant. It is a blend of history and elegance. This is a site where the past meets the present. Visit Charlottenlund Slot to experience its splendor. Its rich history continues to unfold before your eyes.