Castles and beaches on the Danish Riviera by Klaus Metzger (books recommended by bts .TXT) 📕

   Monastery Esrum

On Wednesday, the 26th June 2013, was once again the topic of "culture" on the plan. The sky was slightly overcast ( deg C at 16 .) - ideal conditions for the planned visits. On the way to Hilleröd the interesting monastery Esrum lay with the Moellegaard (Mühlenhof). It was in 1151 by French Cistercian monks built, which wanted to build a monastic community . In the Middle Ages , this monastery was one of the important festivals of Scandinavia. However, the monks have left again before the Reformation, this monastery.

    The Monastery Garden

The annual attraction is the Knight market, on 24 to 25 June took place. We had missed this - but could still various stalls and riding facility recognize. In the monastery, an exhibition can be the life of the monks rise again. An impressive monastery garden was the great interest Jutta 's, which has been engaged for some time with herbal plants.

Frederiksborg Castle

We were looking forward to the next castle is very picturesque with a Baroque garden at Castle Lake at Hilleröd. To my shame , I must confess that I am now - after an initial survey of Esrum Monastery - this "pearl" among Danish castles visited for the first time. With my second wife , Jutta Hartmann-Metzger, I have over the years developed other interests and priorities.

   The Neptune Fountain

This unique Renaissance complex was at the beginning of the 17th Century by Christian IV (the son of Kronborg Castle - builder Frederik II) built. The importance of the Danish king as a powerful northern European monarch can be seen in many decorative elements of this castle. There are statues and reliefs, the Neptune fountain and the marble gallery in the kingside.

   The Castle Church

In the 18th Century the castle lost its importance as the residence of the king. It was still used for representation purposes. During the period of absolutism between 1660 to 1848 , all Danish kings were anointed in the castle church.

   Audience Hall

A bad fire destroyed large parts of the inner castle in 1859. For recovery funds were collected nationwide, lotteries organized and received private donations. Even J. C. Jakobsen, founder of the famous Carlsberg brewery, was actively involved in the project and proposed 1877 plan to make the castle became the seat of national history museum. Here is how to find historical paintings, portraits, furniture and crafts more than 500 years of Danish history. For the visit should take at least 2 hours.

The lonely beach of Hornbaek

On the following Thursday, we again visited an interesting castle: Fredensborg. On the way there we put in Hornbaek (by which we had already sailed on Monday on the way to Elsinore) a pause to the most famous seaside resort on the north coast (Danish Riviera) to look at the beach.

Compared to the popular beaches of Gilleleje and Dronningmoelle this was very wide and well maintained. What us here - as in the other beaches - noticed was the lack of beach walker (Bathers I do not want speak at a water temperature of 16.5 C). Should also in Denmark no longer sit so loose the money? By the way, our beautiful summer house was for sale. And this was not an isolated case all along the coast.

Royal Guards in front of the Fredensborg Palace

The Fredensborg Castle was built by King Frederik IV after the end of the Great Northern War in 1772 to commemorate the conclusion of peace. The lock should be his new summer residence since the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen had lost its quiet location. Today, the Royal Family holds on a large part of the year in the baroque castle. Then they bring with them the royal bodyguard. Short vor 12 clock takes place annually the impressive changing of the guard. For especially occasions the Band of the Royal Life Guards at the Castle Park plays.

Changing of the guard

From Danes, we learned that we were able to see such a random event, because the royal family said goodbye to the Royal Life Guards, as they wanted to go on holiday to Jutland. After a waiting time of the Royal Jaguar and the Prince Consort Henrik appeared in rose. Still later, the front door opened and he came to the castle with his dog and the Lord Chamberlain (with red jacket), the stone stairs . The bands and the soldiers marched past. Then he waved at us briefly and disappeared back into the castle. So he had taken over the ceremonial duties for the royal family.

Royal adoption on holiday

According to the Danish tourism professionals (see brochure " North Zealand - Royal recovery in Denmark" 2012 , 91 pages), you can relax on dazzling North Sea countries and to form exquisite. We can confirm the result of our own experience and are not our opinion alone. Even the Danish kings moved from 16 Century like Copenhagen in this "recreation area" to hunt and relax. They built little by little the locks that we visited.

Dronningmoelle beach

On Friday was the last day of our wonderful holiday week and we said goodbye with a two-hour hike from our house beach. Although the weather with 20 deg. C (water temperature 16.5 deg. C) and slightly overcast sky was relatively nice, we missed again bathers.

Thomas Hotel in Husum

On Saturday the 29th June 2013, we started at 8 clock with our journey home. Since the Landlords office opened only against 10 clock, we threw the key with the electricity bill in the appropriate mailbox. On the route already known we drove through Denmark and used again Storebaeltsbrücke (toll 235 , - Dkr). This time we broke our return journey in Husum (against 14 clock), where we had booked a double room at the Thomas Hotel.

    Visitors to the matjes days at the port

The hotel was located near the inner harbor. There was a larger event. At the hotel I later learned that it was the annual matjes days (end of June). With pleasure we mingled after checking with the visitors. First we were breastfeeding at the port once our hunger, because we had not eaten anything after breakfast. With this beautiful event, we were able to conclude harmoniously in Denmark our eventful week.

    Our Opel Combo Tour in the carport of the summer house

On Sunday morning we went to the last stage. Everything went smoothly and we arrived at about 12 clock in Hildesheim. A few more words about our Opel Combo Tour (Diesel) who has once again transported us very reliable: We covered a total of 1750 km and consumed