A new cultural area i Elsinore

Kronborg and the Port of Helsingør under development

Kronborg is Denmark’s most famous castle. In the heyday of the fortress its canons ruled the entry to Øresund, the Sound, and no ship passed without paying dues to the king. It was in that period that Shakespeare played out his drama about Prince Hamlet at Elsinore Castle or Kronborg. In 2000, the castle was entered onto UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and this achievement makes it natural to develop Kronborg and its surroundings.

In the period from 2008-2010, a series of comprehensive works will be carried out around the fortifications of Kronborg. The efforts include the recreation of historical bastions and ravelins in a modern interpretation. As a result Kronborg will become more visible and prominent, and a much better connection will be created between Elsinore’s historical and well-preserved city centre and the impressive renaissance castle.

At the same time, a major transformation will be implemented at the harbour area around which the Helsingør Shipyard existed and functioned for more than a century until its closure in 1983. The old yard areas are now to be transformed into a modern cultural centre in the form of the Culture Yard that will have a new central library as its hub. In addition, the Danish Maritime Museum will move into a unique new domicile in a dry dock between the castle and the Culture Yard. This is where Denmark’s comprehensive history as a maritime nation will be portrayed.

History in brief

Kronborg was named by the Danish King Frederik II in 1577, but the story goes back to the 1420s. In this period King Erik of Pomerania built the strongly fortified “Krogen” fortress, and it was from here that the king’s men controlled the maritime traffic in Øresund and collected the unpopular Sound Dues which existed until 1857. Even today, a leisurely walk through the city of Elsinore is a walk through history. Many of the houses and small cobbled passages are more than 300-400 years old adding a highly authentic atmosphere to the city.

The 4 projects for the Kronborg area, in brief:

Kronborg Culture Harbour

Kronborg Culture Harbour is a landscape project aimed at accentuating Kronborg by recreating fortifications and rebuilding the harbour area with new quay structure and open areas. Project developers are Elsinore City Council, the Palaces and Properties Agency and Realdania.

The Culture Yard

The Culture Yard will be established in the old shipyard buildings which are located between Elsinore City and Kronborg. The main features of the Culture Yard will include a new central library, a theatre and concert hall, a series of exhibition and meeting rooms and a café. Elsinore City Council will build the Culture Yard.

The Danish Maritime Museum

A modern maritime museum will be established in a former dry dock next to Kronborg. It will reiterate the story of Denmark as a seafaring nation. The construction of the museum, which is currently located at Kronborg, will be financed by several maritime funds.

Kronborg

Over several years, parts of Kronborg Castle will be renovated with a view to offering improved visitor facilities and new ways of explaining the history of the castle. Kronborg will also invite artists to work and exhibit in the old military buildings, and a new restaurant has opened behind the ramparts. The Palaces and Properties Agency is the developer.

In all, DKK 750 million (€ 100 million) is to be invested in the Kronborg area.