MY EXCURSION: CASTLES OF NORTH SEALAND (Princess Tour)
Today was our second day in Copenhagen and I booked a tour to some castles on the outside of the city. Before we hit the countryside to see the castles we made a stop at the most famous of Copenhagen's attractions, The Little Mermaid.
The sculpture of The Little Mermaid was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. Every morning and evening she swims to the surface from the bottom of the sea and, perched on her rock in the water, she stares longingly towards the shore hoping to catch a glimpse of her beloved prince. Unveiled on 23 August 1913, The Little Mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite and sits in the water at Langelinie Pier. Carl Jacobsen fell in love with the character after watching a ballet performance based on the fairy tale at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen.
The brewer was so captivated by both the fairy tale and the ballet that he commissioned the sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create a sculpture of the mermaid. The sculpture was inspired by ballerina Ellen Price, who in 1909 danced the lead role in the ballet The Little Mermaid at the Royal Theatre. However, Ellen Price would not model in the nude for sculptor Edvard Eriksen. Thus Eriksen’s wife, Eline Eriksen, posed for the sculpture of The Little Mermaid.
Since cars are discouraged in Copenhagen for bicycles people have gotten used to the cargo bike, a bicycle with a large storage cart in front to carry produce as well as people! We spotted one on the boardwalk along the river.
I then set off on an enjoyable, narrated tour to my first destination of Hillerød, home of Frederiksborg Castle. Seeing Frederiksborg Castle, you might think that this elegant Dutch Renaissance structure sitting on three small islands, is right out of a fairytale! In fact, the Castle had been the royal residence and setting for important ceremonial events since the beginning of the 17th century to the 1850s. Your guided tour begins at the Neptune Fountain and visits the rooms of the King's Wing, the Church, and the impressive Knight's Hall, which boasts an intricate carved wooden ceiling. Today, the castle has been transformed into a national historical museum and is best known for its outstanding collection of portraits - the largest of its kind in Denmark.
This was one of the most beautiful castles I have even seen!
After the visit to Frederiksborg Castle, the tour continued through the picturesque countryside of Northern Zealand. Before reaching our next destination, Kronborg Castle, there was a photo stop at Fredensborg Castle, one of the Queen's most used residences.
Kronborg Castle, situated in the narrow sound between Denmark and Sweden, is often called 'Hamlet's Castle.' This dramatic Renaissance castle was the inspiration for Shakespeare's tragedy, 'Hamlet.' Originally built in 1420 and expanded between 1574 and 1584 by King Frederik II, the castle's historic and rustic surroundings are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We continued along the coastal road with the lovely view of the sea past impressive manor houses and small marinas.
We returned to the ship around 6PM. Got ready for dinner and had an early night.
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