Uniquely, it is the only building in the world that houses all three branches of government — the parliament, the prime minister's office, and the Supreme CourtStep back in time and explore the very foundations of Copenhagen at the ruins beneath Christiansborg Palace (the first building on the site dates back to 1167).
What to see inside: The Royal Reception Rooms include the Tower Room and the Oval Throne Room. The Great Hall contains colorful tapestries depicting 1,000 years of Danish history.
From 1745 the royal family had their residence at Christiansborg Castle, which was a festive time for the royals, among other things, one of the most famous love stories in Danish history unfolds: the affair between Christian 7. young queen Caroline Mathilde and the king's personal physician, Johann Struensee (watch the movie “the royal affair” to gain a better understanding). Unfortunately the Great Fire in 1794 burned the castle to the ground, where the royal family had to move to Amalienborg Castle. It was intended that the family would only live at Amalienborg while Christiansborg was being rebuilt but the new palace had long delays due to many unfortunate national events such as:
The bombardment of Copenhagen and the loss of the fleet in 1807, state bankruptcy in 1813 and the loss of Norway in 1814 (for over 200 years Denmark, Norway and Sweden was one kingdom ruled under the danish King - but Sweden had gained independence in 1523 and now Norway).
But when the second Christiansborg was completed in 1828, the family had grown so fond of living at Amalienborg that they didn’t want to move. When Denmark got its first constitution on June 5, 1849, King Frederik 7. therefore gives up some of the rooms at the new Christiansborg Palace to the new parliament, but only temporarily as the castle burns down again in 1884.
The present and third palace was completed in 1928, and still houses the Danish Parliament and the Supreme Court.
The statue on the square in front of the palace depicts King Frederik the 7th, who gave Denmark its constitution in 1849.
Today you can visit Christiansborg’s ruins from the previous castles, as well as see the Queen's tapestries, which show over 1,000 years of Danish history on woven wallpaper. You can also visit the parliament and the tower where there’s a restaurant today and a viewpoint which is free.
Tickets:
You can buy a castle ticket that gives you access to the Royal Reception Rooms, the Royal Banquet Kitchen, the Ruins under Christiansborg and the Royal Stables.
The ticket is €23,5 (free with the Copenhagen Card).
If you just want to see the ruins - entrance is €9.
You can also book a guided tour of the parliament. It's free and takes around 45 min. https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/en/visit/tours/guided-tour/booking
