The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-27 00:00:00

THE PALACE OF FREDERICKSIIORG•

It has been briefly mentioned by telegraph that the Palace
of Fredericksborg, in Denmark, had been destroyed by fire.
Thorn are two royal residences in Denmark which bear nearly
thesamo name. The one, close to Copenhagen, is Fredericks-
borg, built in the 18th century, by Frederick in the
Italian style, and afterwards enh.rged by Christian IT 1., and
from the balcon of which there is a magnificent view over
the:city, the Sound, and coasts of Sweden. The other palace,
that of Fredoricksborg, which has been just destroyed, WaS
five miles from Copenhagen, and was the Pantheon of the
glories of Denmark. It was divided into three parts, sepa-
rated from each other by fortified fosses. The principal edilieey,.
had four stories, with handsome towers and pinnacles.
had vast cellars extending under water,:forthe chateau stood
on an island in a lake, but they were built so substantially
that no dampness could penetrate. What more particularly
attracted the attention of strangers visiting this place was
the chapel, situated in the left wing, and embellished with
sculptures, pictures, and the most exquisite carvings in
wood. King Christian the Fourth himself turned several of
the arabesques and flowers in ivory found there. The altar
was a masterpiece of workmanship, and had no less thanle 150
gr kiloammes of silver employed en it. Over the g
stood an escutcheon with the arms of Denmark,
of
oh
by these of the knights still living of the orders of the
alry—
Elephant and of Dannebrog. In an adjoining hall ere
the escutcheons of the deceased knights, and among then'
that of Napoleon I. The hall of the knights, one
of the largest in Europe, being not less than
150 feet long, was all of marble ; its handsome mantel-
piece had been unfortunately injured by the Swedes during
the wars. The ceiling was ornamented with innumerable
figures, groups, and symbolical and emblematical represon-
tations of all kinds, intermingled with sentences in the
Latin, Danish, and German languages. It was a real thea-
trima mundi, and 26 artists were employed on it for 8001
years. The portrait gallery was unique of its kind, and
great value for the history of Denmark. Each sovereign no''
a space reserved for him, and round him wore grouped tlr
°
members of his family, ministers, and all who had oe'°
themselves conspicuous under his reign: In the Collection.
were portraits of the astronomer Tycho Brahe, the poet 11°i
berg, the historian Suhm, and numerous others. The Por;
traits of Struensoe and the unfortunate Q
were not suspended in the gallery, but visitors were sho _
the words, " 0 God, keep me innocent I" which the Quer
had cut on one of the windows with a diamond ring. Intl':
ricksborg was, as has been above mentioned, situated
middle of a lake, a site expressly chosen by Christian
who was an experienced sailor, and one of the most poPu_r:
kings ever known in that country. It was his favour.?
place of residence. The courtiers laughed at the idea
Queen Mathilvatel
building a palace in such a spot, but the King:paid no_t".
tention to their remarks, and by the aid of English ar""
sun.
tects and workmen, whom he procured for the purrs°,
ceeded in carrying out all his plans successfully, and Cern'
pleting a magnificent pile of building.