Hillerod Attractions
Zealand
The town of Hillerød, a railroad junction, lies in the north of the island of Zealand, not far from Helsingor and Copenhagen.
History
Hillerod became a settlement in the early Middle Ages. Some years later a nobleman built a mansion on an island in what is now the castle lake; this house was acquired by Frederik II (1559-88) who wanted to use the area for hunting. In 1562 the king built a castle and called it "Frederiksborg". However, the king's son, Christian IV (1588-1648) had it pulled down and a new one built between 1602 and 1620 in the Renaissance style, to designs by Hans van Steenwinkel the Elder and his son. During the period of Absolutism all Danish kings were anointed in the castle church, the last being Christian VIII in 1840. The town of Hillerod also came into being in the time of Christian IV.
In 1658, during the war with Sweden, King Frederik III and Karl X of Sweden met at Frederiksborg. On their departure the Swedes sacked the castle and, among other things, took away the fountain of Adrian de Vries. Later the castle was used only as a summer residence. When the Royal Family gave preference to Fredensborg the heyday of Frederiksborg was finally past.
There has been a stud in Hillerod since 1720 and the Frederiksborg horse has always been important in Danish breeding.
The town of Hillerød, a railroad junction, lies in the north of the island of Zealand, not far from Helsingor and Copenhagen.
History
Hillerod became a settlement in the early Middle Ages. Some years later a nobleman built a mansion on an island in what is now the castle lake; this house was acquired by Frederik II (1559-88) who wanted to use the area for hunting. In 1562 the king built a castle and called it "Frederiksborg". However, the king's son, Christian IV (1588-1648) had it pulled down and a new one built between 1602 and 1620 in the Renaissance style, to designs by Hans van Steenwinkel the Elder and his son. During the period of Absolutism all Danish kings were anointed in the castle church, the last being Christian VIII in 1840. The town of Hillerod also came into being in the time of Christian IV.
In 1658, during the war with Sweden, King Frederik III and Karl X of Sweden met at Frederiksborg. On their departure the Swedes sacked the castle and, among other things, took away the fountain of Adrian de Vries. Later the castle was used only as a summer residence. When the Royal Family gave preference to Fredensborg the heyday of Frederiksborg was finally past.
There has been a stud in Hillerod since 1720 and the Frederiksborg horse has always been important in Danish breeding.
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Frederiksborg Castle
A masterpiece of Danish Renaissance architecture, Frederiksborg Castle is set atop a cluster of islands in the Frederiksborg Lake. The Castle now serves as a museum for tourists.
Frederiksværk - Æbelholt Monastic Museum
In the direction of Frederiksværk, 6 km/4mi west of the town, can be found the interesting Æbelholt Monastic Museum, housed in the ruins of a monastery. Human skeletons dating from the Middle Ages give clues to diseases which were then common and to the healing methods used. There is a garden with healing herbs.
Gribskov
To the north of Hillerød stretches the Gribskov, a wood with oak, beech and birch trees. Note the monument to the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard who loved to walk through these woods.
Nordsjællandsk Folkemuseum
A museum tracing the history of Hillerød through exhibits of local artifacts.
Hours
May 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
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