page_title: Hercules Pavilion
section_title: The Hermitage
hierarchical_section_title: Hercules Pavilion / History / The Hermitage
caption_attribution_description: English: The Hermitage in Tosenborg Park in Copenhagen, Denmark
context_page_description: The Hercules Pavilion is a former royal pavilion now operated as a café in Rosenborg Castle Gardens in central Copenhagen, Denmark. Its history dates back to the foundation of the park in 1606 but it was adapted to its current Neoclassical style by Caspar Frederik Harsdorff in 1773 after the gardens had been opened to the public. The pavilion takes its name from a statue of Hercules positioned in a deep niche in its facade. The sculpture was created by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Baratta from whom it was acquired by King Frederik IV during his visit to Italy.
context_section_description: Then known as the Blue Pavilion, the pavilion was originally built by King Christian IV in connection with the foundation of the gardens in 1606. As at Rosenborg Castle, it was built with concealed sound ducts which allowed the king and his guests to listen to music in privacy on the first floor while the orchestra played on the floor below.
  In 1671, King Christian V converted the pavilion into a hermitage, a place where the royal family could dine in the absence of servants. An elegant kitchen with Dutch tiles on the walls and floor was installed on the lower floor. Here the table was set and then hoisted up to the first floor through a hatch.
  From about 1710, after Frederiksberg Palace had been built, Rosenborg Castle, as well as its gardens, was largely abandoned by the royal family. The gardens were opened to the public but the Hermitage gradually fell into a state of disrepair.
caption: Rendering for the pavilion
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