Christiansborg Slot
I am here in Copenhagen, Denmark where it is unseasonably warm, 79 degrees Fahrenheit! The sun is shining, and it's a beautiful day. I'm pretty tired since I really haven't slept since yesterday. I spent my first afternoon in Denmark on an island called Slotsholmen which translates as 'castle island' because it is the island where the earliest castle was built, almost 900 years ago, to represent Denmark as a country. It really doesn't feel like an island because it is part of downtown Copenhagen and can be reached by several bridges.
Canals with boats run throughout Copenhagen and lead to the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
On this island you can visit a royal palace called Christiansborg Slot. It is not the palace where the royal family lives; they live a little farther north. However, the queen has her offices here as well as the rooms where she has formal receptions. Both the Parliament and Supreme Court are based here as well. The queen, incidentally, is Queen Margrethe II, and she has been the queen since 1972. Pictured below are her library and her throne room!
In 1167 Bishop Absalon built a fortress here, so this has been the home of Danish government for almost 900 years.
This is the Queens Library in Christiansborg Slot.
This is the throne room in Christiansborg Slot.
The first fortress built on this site was constructed by Bishop Absalon in 1167. It was named Komandhaven meaning "Merchant's Port". That word has changed a little over the years to Kobenhagn which we spell with a 'C', so that's where the name of the city comes from. 900 years is a long time, and more has changed than just the name. Several times the castle on this spot burned down or was destroyed in a war. So in 1908 archaeologists discovered evidence of the older castles under the present one. I went under the castle as well as inside of it, and I saw the excavated outer walls, some wells, and some other parts of the older buildings. So cool!
Archaeologists uncovered many older structures underneath the current palace
I also climbed the tower that you can see in the picture and then went to the royal stables which were HUGE.
Archaeologists uncovered many older structures underneath the current palace.
Tomorrow will bring new adventures!