Amalienborg is the royal winter residence. It is located on Amalienborg Square in the very center of the city…
It consists of four identical palaces built on an octagonal courtyard in the center of which is a monument to Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg and Frederikstaden.
Across the street from the complex is the Marble Church, which I wrote about here.
The entire complex was built on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the ruling house of Oldenborg. The four buildings were given to the four most important people of that time.
However, when Kristiansborg Palace burned down in 1794, the king took over these palaces for his own needs. Since then, the palaces have changed their owners and purpose, and today there are private quarters of the royal couple, which are sometimes used for administrative and ceremonial functions.
There is also a museum there, which I really wanted to visit. But I didn’t because the elevator wasn’t working that day.
Changing of the guard
Amalienborg is a place where an interesting event takes place every day at noon, which is the changing of the guard.
If you’re visiting Copenhagen make a plan so you don’t miss this event, which will add some royal glamor to your trip. If you arrive on time, you may be in the first row. But if you try to compete with cobblestones in a wheelchair, then the battle is already lost.
However, people are happy to keep their distance, so I didn’t feel left out.
When and where does the changing of the guard take place?
The Danish Royal Guard marches from Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg where the changing of the guard takes place every day at 12 noon. A group of soldiers is on duty 24 hours a day. They change every two hours. The procession is secured by policemen.
During the ceremony, the sequence and meaning of each movement is known exactly. To us laymen, it’s all the same while during that time the soldiers told us the whole story about who carries the flag, what music is playing at a given moment, why the uniform is that color, whether the king is in the building and so on.
Visitor Tips for Watching the Changing of the Guard
- Get there early: To ensure a good spot, get there early because this ceremony attracts a lot of people, especially on weekends.
- Keep your distance: The audience naturally forms a semi-circle in the center of which the changing of the guard takes place. The police will certainly not let you get too close.
- Photography: You can take photos and videos.
- Appropriate clothing: The weather in Denmark is very changeable so bring an umbrella.
Is Changing of the Guard in Copenhagen free to watch?
Yes, the entire Changing of the Guard experience is free.
There are three types of guards, the Royal Guard, the Lieutenant Guard and the Castle Guard. Which one will be used depends on who is present in the residence.
The Royal Guard performs when the King is in residence. The Royal Guard has been guarding the King since long ago in 1658. “For the King and the People” is the motto of the Royal Guards and is engraved on the regimental cap and uniform. The changing of the guard is accompanied by the music of the Royal Music Orchestra. This musical tradition was added in the 19th century when the rulers received honorary marches from various composers. These marches were once used to motivate the soldiers, but today they have a more ceremonial significance.
The lieutenant’s guard is on guard when lower members of the royal house in this case, the sons and daughters of the king, are present in the palace. Their performance is accompanied by drummers and flautists.
The castle guard is when the palace is empty or when some lower members of the royal house are present. Then the changing of the guard goes without music.
Also, the uniform changes depending on the occasion, so on the day when it is the king’s birthday or some other important date, the soldiers wear red uniforms instead of the usual black ones.
Based on the flag, which flies above the castle, you can know who is present in the palace. If the flag is raised the king is present. If a split flag is displayed, it indicates that no one from the royal family is currently residing in the palace.
The Park
Amaliehaven is a small park in Copenhagen, located between Amalienborg and the coast. Established in 1983, this small park was a gift to the city of Copenhagen by Maersk McKinney Miller. This is a green oasis in the city center, which protects you from city noise and wind.
From this part of the coast, you can also see the opera house on the other side.
In the middle of the park there is a large fountain.
Numerous hidden passages with benches and rich greenery branch off from there. Although it seems random, the plants are carefully selected.
Amalienhaven Park was built on the site of a former shipyard from 1802, which was named after its owner, Larsen Plads. However, when the shipyard was closed in 1870, a ship terminal was established here for the Thingvalla Line, which connected the Scandinavian countries with America. It was used by numerous Scandinavian emigrants, who in large numbers embarked here on a one-way journey to the promised land.
In 1935, this line was closed and the lot changed owners until this park was finally created. Here you can take beautiful pictures.
Conclusion
And so my visit to this part of the city ended.
It could have been much better if this part of the city was not paved with cobblestones. But that won’t dampen my enthusiasm for new adventures in Copenhagen.
New adventures require fuel. The best curry in town can help with that.
Have you visited Amalienborg?
Did I miss something?
Traveled and enjoyed,
Marko Veličković
