The Neptune fountain was removed by the Swedes as spoils of war in 1658, and the individual figures are now exhibited at Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm. During the era of absolute monarchy, the kings were crowned in the Frederiksborg Castle Chapel. The richly adorned castle chapel also served as the knight's chapel for the Order of the Elephant and the Knights of the Dannebrog, i.e. the coats of arms of the Knights of the Order of the Elephant and of the Knights Grand Cross are hanged here. The 'Savings' building was demolished in 1720.
The Frederiksborg Castle fire
The castle was hit by a devastating fire on 17 December 1859. The King's Wing and the Princess' Wing burned down, while the Chapel Wing was only slightly damaged. The Audience House, the Audience Passage and the buildings outside the main castle were not affected. The castle was rebuilt under the management of the architect Ferdinand Meldahl, reusing as many of the remaining building components as possible.
The Frederiksborg Museum
At the instance of J.C. Jacobsen, the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries, the castle was refurbished as a museum, and on 5 April 1878 the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg was established as an independent department of the Carlsberg Foundation. The Museum was to present Denmark's history through portraits and historical paintings. It was opened to the public in 1882.
J.C. Jacobsen also paid for a copy of the Neptune fountain placed in the outer courtyard in 1888, and a castle carillon that was in operation from 1891.
Of the oldest Frederiksborg from the time of Frederik II, the buildings on the first islet and the small Bath House in the castle gardens have survived to this day.
Last updated:: Monday, December 05, 2011
