Denmark

The Kronborg Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet takes you to the real-life setting of “The Bards” most famous protagonist.  Because it’s just a quick train ride from Copenhagen, I can’t recommend this daytrip enough.  Not only is the castle breathtaking, but also its surroundings on the island are just as majestic.   Additionally, professional actors play out the famous scenes throughout the castle’s courtyards.  Therefore, it’s the ultimate way to experience the setting and characters of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy. 

Directions to Kronborg Castle from Copenhagen

The train from Copenhagen’s Central Station goes to the town Helsingor (Elsinore) in 45 minutes.  Check the timetable for the best train. Furthermore, the walk from there to the castle is another 15-20 minutes. 

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Picturesque Copenhagen with Top 20 Attractions

Kronborg Castle History

This castle is immortalized as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark.  Additionally, it’s one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe.  This gorgeous four-wing castle with towers and spires is a Dutch Renaissance style.  King Eric VII originally built this castle in the 1420’s.  Then, in 1629 a fire destroyed much of the castle.  However, late King Frederick II rebuilt the castle.  Finally, after 1923 royalty and the army moved out, opening this cultural landmark for the public. 

Kronborg Castle Hamlet Tour – A Beautiful Setting

What makes this castle so extraordinary is its dramatic setting!  One can see why Shakespeare became inspired for Hamlet’s tragedy on this breathtaking vantage point. The castle stands on the extreme northeastern tip of the island of Zealand, at the narrowest point of Oresund Sound.  This body of water flows between Denmark and Sweden, at its narrowest 4 km (2.5 mi), as one of the few outlets of the Baltic Sea.  For 400 years, the castle was the legendary headquarters for the collection of the Sound Dues.

Kronborg Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet Performances

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” -Hamlet

Hamlet said to Ophelia, ”God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. Just as there are two sides to every story, there are two sides to every person. One that we reveal to the world and another we keep hidden inside. A duality governed by the balance of light and darkness, within each of us is the capacity for both good and evil. But those who are able to blur the moral dividing line hold the true power.”

Since 1816 this play was performed at Kronborg Castle by amateurs and luminaries, such as, Laurence Olivier and Jude Law.  Today, check the schedule so as not to miss the performances dramatically played out on site.  I took a guided tour, watching riveting performances.  For example, I watched Hamlet and Ophelia in the courtyards, Gertrude and Claudius in their royal palace and even walked the dank, underground passages, chapel and gardens. 

Excerpt from Hamlet’s Most Famous Soliloquy:

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, ‘tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life…

Castle’s Landscape, Flowers, Statues and Seascape

After touring the inside of the castle and watching the performances, I wandered the breathtaking outdoor surroundings.  There are beautiful wildflowers amongst a breezy view of the sound.  I laid down in the grass and relaxed to high heaven imagining the history and myth all from this region.  Also, I found an eerie bronzed statue of Hercules, slaying the multi-headed Hydra or Serpents nearby on the shoreline. 

“Above all: to thine own self be true…” – Hamlet

Final Thoughts!

Overall, my day at Kronborg Castle and its surroundings was an absolute elixir for my soul.  Whether you’re a Shakespeare fan or not, it’s a spectacular setting steeped in history and inspiration.  After all, it stands as the Muse for the greatest tragedy of all time by the one and only Shakespeare.   

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