Christian IV: Where History Happened

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If you’re wondering ‘where did Christian IV live?’ Or you want to find our more about the places that this famous monarch spent his life then we can help you follow in the footsteps of this iconic figure and visit sites that relate to his life. When it comes to Christian IV there are a number of fascinating places that are waiting to be explored including Rosenborg Slot, Tojhusmuseet and Frederiksborg Slot.

What are the most interesting sites linked to Christian IV?

1. Roskilde Cathedral

Roskilde Cathedral is a gothic cathedral in Denmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the burial site of Christian IV. Resplendent with looming spires, the cathedral contains a wealth of sculptures and wall paintings. Since the eleventh century, Denmark’s monarchs were buried here and the thirty eight royal tombs include those of Sweyn I Forkbeard, Christian IV, Frederik II and Frederik III. Christian IV’s burial place is particularly opulent.

2. Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle in North Copenhagen is a seventeenth century royal palace built by Christian IV. Construction began in 1606 with the intention that it become a summer home for Danish monarchs, a purpose which it served until Fredensborg Slot was built in the eighteenth century. Today, the castle is a popular attraction and visitors can admire its opulent Dutch-Renaissance brickwork, a vast collection of paintings and even the Crown Jewels, contained in the incredible underground treasury.

3. Tojhusmuseet

Tojhusmuseet in Copenhagen is Denmark’s National Museum of Military History and was originally constructed by Christian IV for use as the royal arsenal. Today, this vast building, which boasts Europe’s the longest arched renaissance hall, exhibits an impressive array of weaponry dating back as far as 500 years.

4. Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle is a restored sixteenth century royal palace in Denmark originally built by Frederik II and expanded by Christian IV. Following a fire in 1859, Frederiksborg was restored and now serves in large part as Denmark’s National History Museum. The museum’s collection is mostly made up of artwork relating to Denmark’s past, including portraits of former monarchs and paintings of important events throughout its history. Visitors can tour the museum to learn about the country’s history dating back to the fifteenth century as well as exploring the stunning baroque gardens.

Although we’ve tried our hardest to list every site relevant to Christian IV, it’s possible that a few slipped through the net… If you’ve noticed a location we’ve missed, you can submit them to us by dropping us a note via our contact us page.