The royal palace of Amalienborg is a complex of palatial monuments. Unfortunately, you cannot get inside and admire the luxurious halls. Unlike other European palaces, Amalienborg is the official royal residence, as it was many centuries ago. Being the royal family's home, it hosts royal audiences and ceremonial receptions. There are only a few halls open to tourists, which are so strikingly beautiful that they should be called one of the main Copenhagen attractions.

The four magnificent palaces were built in the 18th century, not for monarchs but the noble courtiers of the king. By so doing, Frederick V wanted to create a "fashionable luxury district" in the kingdom. He gave these lands to four nobles and ordered them to build four worthy palaces.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the wealthy citizens did not enjoy their possessions for long. A huge fire almost destroyed the royal palace of Christiansborg. Then the king bought all the palaces and united them into his residence.

Today, this story is recalled by the double names of each palace: one in honor of the courtier who built it, the other in honor of the monarch who lived in it. The entire complex is named after the wife of the former Danish King Frederick III, Sophie Amalie (her palace had stood on this site until the fire of 1689).

The four palaces surround one square and have identical facades in the French Rococo style. The first one, named in honor of King Christian VIII, has always been considered the cultural center of the Danish kingdom. The Palace of Frederick VIII was first occupied by the Cadet Academy, and later (until the beginning of the 21st century) by princesses and princes. The current reigning Queen Margrethe II resides in the Palace of Christian IX. But the most interesting one is the Palace of Christian VII, which is open to tourists: visitors can see the original interiors and artworks in the royal chambers of the 18th-19th centuries.