Amalienborg’s story begins with fire. Amalienborg is named after Sophie Amalienborg. It was a summer palace built from 1667 to 1673 for Queen Sophie Amalie. This palace stood approximately where the current Amalienborg stands. The magnificent villa drew inspiration from Italy. It became the setting for grand court festivities.
Tragedy struck in 1689. A fire broke out during Christian V’s birthday celebrations. An opera house next to the palace acted as a fire trap. Decorations caught fire during a birthday performance. Around 180 people died. Most were children of the aristocracy. The fire spread and the palace quickly burned down.
Let us fast forward to 1749. Important merchants presented a plan for the area. Lord Chamberlain A.G. Moltke reimagined the proposal on a larger scale. He effectively ruled on behalf of Frederik V. Moltke saw an opportunity to celebrate the King. He also wanted to celebrate the absolute monarchy. A new quarter would mark the House of Oldenburg’s 300th Jubilee.
Amalienborg became the centerpiece. The King handed the Amalienborg area to Copenhagen’s Magistrate. They gave plots to high-standing builders from the aristocracy. Leading builders received the most attractive plots.
Nicolai Eigtved was chosen to oversee Frederiksstaden. Eigtved was a prominent exponent of the rococo style. He created the town plan. His plans included the Amalienborg palaces and Frederik’s Church. Eigtved also set guidelines for all other building work. He approved all plans himself. This ensured equality and regularity in the streetscape.
Frederiksstaden was designed as an ideal society. The town plan expressed a vision of the state. The King gained power from God. He was surrounded by a royalist aristocracy. Commercial headquarters symbolized the growing importance of commerce. Townhouses represented an industrious bourgeoisie. Frederik’s Hospital showed the state’s concern for the disadvantaged.
The four identical rococo palaces form an octagon. Corner pavilions complete the design. Nicolai Eigtved drew inspiration from unrealized plans for a square in Paris. The style is a light rococo. It combines German and French elements.
The King reserved the right to choose the builders of the Amalienborg palaces. It was a privilege to receive one of the four plots. Lord Chamberlain A. G. Moltke built Christian VII’s Palace. Baron Severin Løvenskiold started Christian IX’s Palace. But he had to hand the project over to the Schack family. Baron Joachim Brockdorff built Frederik VIII’s Palace. Count Christian Frederik Levetzau built Christian VIII’s Palace.
The first Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794. The Royal Family was homeless. They acquired the Amalienborg palaces. Christian VII took over Moltke’s Palace. Crown Prince Frederik took over Schack’s Palace. Hereditary Prince Frederik took over Levetzau’s Palace. The King already owned Brockdorff’s Palace. It had been converted into an officer’s school.
The move prompted substantial alterations. An extra floor was inserted between the palaces. C.F. Harsdorff built the Colonnade. It linked the two southerly palaces. This allowed the Crown Prince to visit his mentally ill father without walking in the street.
Amalienborg turned out to be a wonderful residence. The Royal Family never moved back to Christiansborg. Amalienborg has been a royal residence for over 200 years. The monarch resides in one palace. The heir to the throne lives in another. This tradition continues today.
Today you can witness the changing of the guards. The Royal Life Guard marches from Rosenborg Castle daily. The changing of the guard takes place at noon. You can also visit Amalienborg Museum. It gives you access to the private interiors. You can see exhibits on the monarchy.
Amalienborg stands as a testament to history. It embodies royal tradition. It offers a glimpse into the lives of Denmark’s monarchs. It is a place where the past and present intertwine.