The Kastellet Fortress is one of the main attractions not only in the Danish capital but also in the whole kingdom. Today, this monument of medieval architecture is considered one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. To this day, it has even preserved the defensive ramparts in one of the districts of modern Copenhagen.

The history of this impressive pentagonal citadel began with the construction of a small redoubt during the reign of King Christian IV. St. Anne’s Redoubt was designed to protect the old port. It laid the foundation for the outbreak of great defensive ramparts at the beginning of the 16th century. But the construction of the fortress started only after the city siege by the Swedes in 1660. Fortunately, this fortress is well preserved to this day.

Throughout history, the magnificent work of the renowned Dutch engineer Henrik Rysensteen has defended the Kingdom of Denmark. This period in the history of the citadel was especially vividly reflected in the paintings by the talented Danish artist Christen Kobke.

You could get inside Kastellet through the southern King’s Gate or northern Norway’s Gate. Both gates are perfectly preserved to this day. King’s Gate is lavishly decorated with garlands, pilasters, and a bust of King Frederick III. Norway’s Gate is more modest, though it is made in the Baroque style.

Each of the five corners of the fortress is crowned with a stone bastion: two royal bastions in honor of the king and queen, two in honor of the prince and princess, and one count’s bastion. Previously, there was a town inside the citadel. Today, there is a delightful park with many old buildings, like the commander’s two-story Baroque house, dating from the early 18th century, six three-story barracks, two huge storehouses for weapons and food, and a gunpowder house. Kastellet also houses its own church with a separate prayer hall for prisoners and even a windmill, which is the only preserved mill that is still in working condition.