Amalienborg Palace Copenhagen

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The square at Amalienborg Palace is a historical spot in Copenhagen, Denmark that was built during the reign of King Frederick V (1746–1766). It was designed and constructed by the Danish architect, Nicolai Eigtved, who also designed many other buildings in the surrounding district. You may have heard that this is where royal guards change every day at noon and Danes gather every year on April 16th to celebrate the Queen Margrethe's birthday. Amalienborg Slotsplads on the scene are an inspiration from the French Baroque Period, Paris and the Place Dauphine in Versailles. To paint a vivid picture, Slotspladsen consists of four palaces and has Frederikskirken (Frederik's Church). The four palaces were originally built by and built for the four families of nobility, who had moved there in result of a fire at the Christainsborg Castle in 1794. The famous statue located in the middle of the square is known as Saly's equestrian statue. The French sculptor, Jacques Francois-Joseph Saly, took almost 20 years to create the statue and today it is recognized as one of Europe's most famous equestrian statues. The monument depicts Frederik V and was finished for the world to see in 1771. A group of marines drove the 22-ton statue across Kongens Nytorv to a 27-gun salute with a crowd of thousands of people to view the great event held at the octagonal courtyard. Today, Amalienborg Palace is considered to be one of the best examples of the Rococo style of architecture in Europe. If you ever do decide to visit Copenhagen, it is highly advised that you make the Amalienborg Square a must see on your travel plan.