Jægerspris Castle
Jægerspris Castle is one of Denmark's oldest royal castles. It is beautifully located, surrounded by forest and fjords. The royal history goes back to the 13th Century and the castle has served as a hunting and summer residence for kings and queens.
In 1854 Frederik VII and Countess Danner moved into Jægerspris Castle. They decorated the castle as their private residence and the rooms still stand as they did in the 1850s.
The living rooms at Jægerspris Castle are decorated according to the taste of the time by the fashion- and style-conscious Countess Danner. Incidentally, the castle is the only place in Denmark where the interior design of the 1850s can be experienced as a whole. During a visit to the museum, you can also experience King Frederik VII’s archaeological collection, which contains several unique gold finds from the Bronze Age.
You can also see an exhibition about the orphanage that Countess Danner set up at the castle. The exhibition tells how the children lived in the orphanage wards around the castle in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and here it is shown how this large private orphanage has had an impact on childcare in Denmark.
At the castle is a small cozy café, Cafe Danner, with organic coffee and tea, delicious cakes baked with care and cozy lunch. There is also a small shop with lots of gift ideas. The café and shop offer sheltered employment for people who find it difficult to find and maintain regular work.
This year's special exhibition: In Eternal Memory. Countess Danner’s Jægerspris
The history of Countess Louise Danner’s life sounds like a fairy tale. She was born in Copenhagen in 1815, as the daughter of an unmarried maid. Yet, fate would have her marry the King of Denmark one day and become one of the country’s significant benefactors. Who would have seen that coming?
1850 was the turning point of her life. That year, she married Frederik VII and received her noble title, Countess. But their love was continuously put to serious tests as King Frederik VII could not shield Louise from envy and gossip. According to the elitist opinion of the time she was not worthy of a king.
Louise was courageous and experienced more than most. She transcended social and geographical boundaries – and yet she never forgot her own story. Before her death, she bequeathed her fortune to charity in two
foundations which she established in the name of the king. One foundation was established to support the poorest women of the working class in Copenhagen, while the other was to aid vulnerable children by running an
orphanage at Jægerspris Castle, and, aside from this, preserve the castle in memory of Frederik VII.
150 years have passed since Countess Danner’s death, and King Frederik VII’s Foundation at Jægerspris Castle still runs Danner’s orphanage and preserves the memory of Frederik VII and Countess Danner.
Related Attractions
Opening Hours
01.09.2024 - 27.10.2024:Monday: closed
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: closed
Thursday: 11:00 - 16:00
Friday: 11:00 - 16:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 16:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 16:00
Location
Slotsgården 20
3630 Jægerspris