The Christiansborg Palace is located on the islet of Slotholmen, the island in the port of Copenhagen surrounded by bridges and canals.
The island is also known as “the island of power” because it is the seat of the most important Danish institutions. More precisely, the Christiansborg houses: the Parliament (Folketing), the Supreme Court, and Government offices (southern and eastern wing), in addition to the boardrooms of the former Royal apartments (north wing).
The current building of Christiansborg, dating from the late nineteenth century, is just the latest in a series of buildings that have alternated over the centuries, due to wars, renovations, fires, on the ruins of the first fortress of Copenhagen in 1167.
The three-story building in the eclectic style with Rococo shapes shows an austere façade of granite and a tower 106 meters high (the highest of the city) with copper-clad Spire.
In the basement of the building, you can visit the ruins of the previous buildings of XII-XIV centuries that highlight the circular layout of the original fortress and that provide information about the 15th-century building, and in particular on the Blue Tower (Blatarn) that defended the main entrance, also used as a prison.
Christiansborg was used as a royal residence for more than 350 years until with the burning of the Palace (1795) the Royal family moved his residence to Amalienborg. Â Nevertheless, even today large parts of the building are available for Royals (the boardrooms, the Chapel, and the stables) so many official functions officiated by Queen are held here.
The Royal Reception Rooms can be visited. Particularly beautiful are the Drabantsalen  (Guards’ Room), the impressive entrance hall with vaults supported by Atlante’s sculptures carved in limestone; the Riddersalen (Knights’ Hall), 40 meters long with fine Flemish tapestries that tell the history of Denmark and the oval Tronsalen, the throne room with the relief-decorated ceiling with access to the balcony where the Danish monarchs are proclaimed.
On the right of the facade of Chritiansborg, on the Slotplads, embellished by the equestrian statue of Frederick II, there is the Slotskirken, the Court Chapel in neo-classical style, now used as a concert hall. From the Slotskirken, through a covered walkway leading to the North Wing of Christiansborg, you reach the beautiful paved courtyard (Prins Jørgens Gard).
Crossing the Marble Channel (Marmorbroen) you reach the spectacular Courtyard of the riding school (Christiansborg Ridebane) where, in the southern part, there are the 18th-century stables and the carriage museum.
Next to the stables, you will find the old Court Theatre (1767) which now houses the Teatermuseet dedicated to the history of the theatre.
USEFUL INFO
Opening hours:Â daily 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM (October – April closed Mondays)
Admission: 150 DDK (adult), 125 DDK (student), 75 DDK (child) online ticket
How to reach: Metro Kongens Nytorv (M1, M2)
Address: Prins Jørgens Gård 1, 1218 København
