The King’s garden in Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the most visited gardens in Copenhagen today. It was built over 400 years ago and has transitioned from one style of a garden to another throughout its history. The King’s garden is an extension of Rosenberg castle however it was built shortly before the main castle was built. King Christian IV originally built the castle in 1606. Its purpose was to be a summerhouse for the royal family. Both the castle and the gardens were built originally built in the Renaissance style. Just like the gardens, the castle changed and expanded on overtime.
When it was
first built, both Rosenberg castle and the King’s garden were built in the
renaissance style. There were many features that made the garden a renaissance
style garden. First, the garden was expansive and outward looking which was
something new when it came to renaissance design. Another new idea that came
with the renaissance was the country retreat that the Romans originally had.
Rosenberg was built as a summer retreat for the royal family and was used for
that purpose for many years before it became open to the public. The garden
also had and still does have features such as fountains, statues and gazebos.
Like much of the Renaissance, these features came from the Italians. Finally,
the gardens had orchards and vegetable plants that were used to feed the royal
family. Today, you can still find fruit trees. Even though the garden was
redesigned, many of these renaissance features remain today.
As the
styles of the times began to change, the King’s garden was redesigned to
reflect more of a baroque look. There was a central area where intricate paths
all lead. There was also a garden maze that was a typical feature of the
baroque gardens. These changes made it so that there is a juxtaposition of the
old renaissance style and the baroque style of gardens.
Rosenberg
has been used by both royal families and the Danish public alike and is enjoyed
by all. It is a vast area where you can enjoy the gardens, statues, paths, and
green areas, as well as the castle. The transition of the garden throughout its
history makes it a place that can be enjoyed by the public today.
Sources and additional information:
Photo Sources:
Hulsen, Tim, and Miaomiao
Zhou. The northeast side of Rosenberg castle and Rosenberg gardens.
N.d. Photograph. OurTravelPicsWeb. 16 Mar 2014.
<http://www.ourtravelpics.com/photo/copenhagen/437/>.
Hulsen, Tim, and Miaomiao
Zhou. The Rosenberg Castle Gardens. N.d. Photograph.
OurTravelPicsWeb. 16 Mar 2014. <http://www.ourtravelpics.com/photo/copenhagen/438/>.
Hulsen, Tim, and Miaomiao
Zhou. The Rosenberg Castle Gardens 2. N.d. Photograph.
OurTravelPicsWeb. 16 Mar 2014.
<http://www.ourtravelpics.com/photo/copenhagen/447/>.
Always interesting - and encouraging to see how historic gardens can be 're-purposed' to provide a contemporary resource. In this case a freely-accessible and much valued urban greenspace
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