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Kronborg Castle Facts & Worksheets

Kronborg Castle is located in Denmark, on the northeast tip of the island of Zealand.

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World Heritage Sites - Kronburg Castle
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Kronborg Castle is located in Denmark, on the northeast tip of the island of Zealand. It is world-renowned to many as “Elsinore”, which was the setting of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

See the fact file below for more information on the Kronborg Castle or alternatively, you can download our 20-page World Heritage Sites: Kronborg Castle worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

History & Layout of Kronborg Castle

  • Previously known as “Krogen”, or “The Hook”, the castle was built in the 1420s by Eric of Pomerania, who was the Danish king at the time.
  • He wanted to build the castle in the extreme northeast of Denmark in order to enforce payment made as visitors and other ships entered or exited the Baltic Sea.
  • Krogen contained several stone buildings within its walls, including the king’s residence, a banquet hall, a chapel, and a curtain wall (a wall between two towers of a castle for defensive purposes), and many other interesting rooms and buildings.
  • The photo to the right shows the Kronborg Castle and the Sound, drawn in an ancient geography book.
  • When Frederick II took over in Denmark, he wanted to transform Krogen into a luxurious and grand
  • Renaissance castle that looked distinct from any other castle in Europe at the time.
  • After the Seven Years’ war in 1570, Frederick II, with the help of architect Hans Hendrik van Paesschen, began expanding and modifying the existing buildings, and completed them in 1577.
  • After these modifications, three wings were established; the north wing housed the king and queen’s chambers, and the south wing was for the chapel.
  • In 1629, a fire destroyed much of the castle (except for The Chapel, which maintained its original alter, gallery, and pews) needed to be reconstructed, but could never full be restored to the majestic beauty it once was.

Description of Kronborg Castle

  • Kronborg Castle is elevated 39 feet above sea level on the island of Zealand, located in the northeast of Denmark, as seen in the map on the right.
  • Moats and gates protect the route from nearby towns to the castle.
  • In the original castle, the floors had black and white tiles, but were replaced with wooden floor- boards in 1760.
  • The ballroom, completed in 1582, was the largest hall in Northern Europe. It includes several large paintings originally made from 1618-1631 by a handful of artists.
  • The King’s Chamber was located directly above the main entrance to the castle, so he could keep an eye on visitors passing through.
  • In the Little Hall, tapestries portraying Danish kings hand on the walls. Only a few of the original tapestries remain; the others were lost.
  • The Chapel is located on the ground floor of the south wing.
  • For a while, it was used as army barracks, then as a gymnasium and fencing hall; almost 100 years later it was refurbished with its original furniture, and returned to its original glory.
  • Throughout the castle are royal apartments, Netherlandish furniture from the 17th century, ceiling paintings, stone portals, and many more authentic details.

Interesting Facts About Kronborg Castle

  • The gap between Denmark and Sweden (the Sound) is only approximately 2.5 miles wide, so it was important that a defensive building be constructed to watch the borders.
  • Kronborg Castle is the place where William Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet is supposed to have happened.
  • Hamlet was performed on the 200th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare inside the castle.
  • Sailing activities were strongly monitored and controlled.
  • The Kronborg Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Denmark, and it costs approximately $14 (U.S) for an adult to visit the castle; the price increases in the summer when it is busier.
  • From 1739 until the 1900s, the castle was actually used as a prison.
  • Violent or “dishonest” criminals were forced to serve their time doing hard labor inside the walls of the castle, but inmates who were deemed “honest” ones, with minor convictions, were allowed to work outside.

World Heritage Sites: Kronborg Castle Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Kronborg Castle across 20 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use World Heritage Sites: Kronborg Castle worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Kronborg Castle which is located in Denmark, on the northeast tip of the island of Zealand. It is world-renowned to many as “Elsinore”, which was the setting of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Kronborg Castle Facts.
  • Kronborg Castle Wordsearch.
  • Map of Denmark.
  • Timeline of Changes.
  • Architect Comparison.
  • WebQuest: Holger Danske.
  • Design a New Krone.
  • Making Connections.
  • Breathtaking Kronborg.
  • Kronborg Castle Crossword.
  • Renaissance Poem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kronborg Castle famous for?

Kronborg Castle is beautifully and ornately decorated with sandstone carvings in unique and imaginative designs. The Great Hall is one of the most stunning rooms from this era – and the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. Kronborg Castle is also world-famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

What is Kronborg Castle made of?

The castle was constructed to showcase Denmark’s wealth, with a copper roof that spanned the entire structure and walls covered in expensive sandstone.

How long does Kronborg Castle take?

In order to tour Kronborg Castle thoroughly and see all the main sights, you should budget at least two hours.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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