- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1662 · 17th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
- Style
- Baroque
- Commissioned by
- Christian IV of Denmark
- Coordinates
- 55.6916°, 12.5936°
History
The first earthwork on the site, Sankt Annæ Skanse, was raised in 1626 by Christian IV. After the Swedish siege of Copenhagen in 1658–1659, King Frederick III commissioned a modern citadel, built from 1662 to designs by the Dutch engineer Henrik Ruse. The five-bastioned fortress, ringed by a moat, guarded the harbour and also served as a prison – in 1772 Johann Friedrich Struensee was held here before his execution. On 9 April 1940 German troops took Kastellet without a fight after landing in the harbour. Danish military units are still stationed here today.
What to see
Grassy star-shaped ramparts surrounded by a moat carry paths along their crest, making one of the most pleasant walks in Copenhagen. Inside stand rows of red barracks, an early 18th-century garrison church, the commandant's house and a windmill of 1847. Two gates lead into the citadel, and the Gefion Fountain and the Little Mermaid are close by.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q221812
Popularity: articles about this site in 20 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).