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Sønderborg Castle

February 15, 2024

Sønderborg Castle (Danish: Sønderborg Slot) is located in the town of Sønderborg, Denmark on the island of Als in South Jutland. It houses a museum focusing on the history and culture of the area. The castle is located in the middle of the town, in a park setting overlooking Als Fjord. The museum is open year-round.[1]

Sønderborg Castle
Sønderborg Castle courtyard

History edit

Sønderborg Castle began probably as a fortified tower constructed by Valdemar the Great in 1158, built on an islet in Als Strait (Als Sund) that later was connected to the island of Als. As it lies to the south of the isle of Als, it was named Sønderborg, literally "southern fortress" (compare English "Sudbury"). The castle was built to provide protection against attacks by the Wends and was part of a larger system of fortifications. Over the centuries, the castle has gradually been enlarged and rebuilt.

In the years following construction of Valdemar's fortified tower, an important struggle developed between the Danish king and the duke of Schleswig over ownership of the island of Als and the town of Sønderborg. Ownership of the castle changed hands many times. A peak in the history of the castle was the wedding of Valdemar IV of Denmark (Valdemar Atterdag) (ca. 1320-1375) to Helvig of Schleswig, the sister of Valdemar V, Duke of Schleswig.[2]

Around 1350, the castle was expanded significantly by the addition of both the Blue Tower (Blåtårn) and huge outer walls. In 1490, the fortress became the property of the Danish crown. Both King Hans and his son Christian II extended Sønderborg Castle and made it into one of the country's strongest fortresses.

In 1532, Christian II was lured into an ambush and taken to Sønderborg Castle, where he was held as a prisoner of state for seventeen years (1532-1549). Legend tells that the dethroned king was confined to the Blue Tower, but in reality he lived in comparatively lavish circumstances and probably was allowed freedom of movement within the outer walls, if sometimes under closely guarded conditions. The former king sometimes even joined the noble hunts at Als.[3][4]

Christian III in the mid-sixteenth century had the fortress modified and converted into a four-wing castle by architect Hercules von Oberberg (1517–1602) between 1549-57. King Hans'west wing was preserved and a further three wings were added in the new Renaissance style. After Christian III's death in 1559, Hercules von Oberberg built the unique castle chapel in 1568-1570 for Queen Mother Dorothea.[5] k After Dorothea's death in 1571, the castle passed into the ownership of Hans II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg (also known as Hans the Younger). Under his rule, the castle became the center of a tiny duchy, Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. This, however, was divided after his death in 1622.

The castle remained in the hands of the dukes of Southern Jutland until 1667, when the ruined duchy of Sønderborg was attached to the Danish throne and the castle became a Danish estate. The duchy’s representative, the Prefect (Amtmanden), took up residence at the castle. It was otherwise more or less unused in the years 1667-1718.[2]

In 1718-1726, Frederik IV had the castle rebuilt in Baroque style by contractor general Wilhelm von Platen. The Blue Tower was demolished in 1755, and in 1764 the castle passed into the hands of the Duke of Augustenborg; but, contrary to expectations, the castle did not become the duke's residence. Instead, it was rented out as a warehouse.

During both the first and the second Slesvig wars (1848-1850, 1864), Sønderborg Castle was used as a camp hospital and for quartering Danish troops. After the war of 1864, the province and the castle became Prussian property and served as barracks from 1867 until the area was reunified with Denmark in 1920. The last duke of Augustenborg, Ernst Günther, allowed Sønderborg County Museum to move into a part of the castle in 1920. The next year, the Danish state bought the castle from the Duke, taking over the castle in 1921 and allowing several institutions to use it as long as they paid heed to the expanding museum.[2]

In 1945 and 1946, the castle was used as an internment camp for persons charged with offenses to the state.

The Royal Inspectors of Listed State Buildings, Peter Koch and Jørgen Stærmose, conducted a thorough restoration of the castle from 1964 to 1973, returning it to the Baroque form it had been given by Frederik IV in the 1720s. The windows from the barracks era were even replaced with "masks", windows with broad wooden frames made of planks like the ones in Platen's castle. [6]

The museum and grounds edit

Since 1921 Sønderborg Castle has been the home for The Sønderborg Castle Museum (Museet på Sønderborg Slot), which is the main museum for the former Duchy of Slesvig. The museum houses local and regional history collections from the Middle Ages to the present day, but with especial focus on the Schleswig wars of 1848-50 and 1864, World War II, and the Reunification of 1920. The museum also hosts exhibitions on navigation, textiles and handicrafts, and has a small art collection with works by prominent Southern Jutland painters over the years.[7] The museum is a part of Museum Sønderjylland, a constellation of museums in Southern Jutland.[8]

The original ramparts around the castle became a visible part of the gardens in the 1970s.

The Chapel of Sønderborg Castle edit

The unique chapel of Sønderborg Castle, also known as Queen Dorothea's Chapel (Dronning Dorotheas Kapel) was built 1568-70 by Hercules von Oberberg for Queen Mother Dorothea reflects the changing times in Denmark after the Reformation. It is almost untouched, and is considered to be one of Europe's oldest and best-preserved Lutheran royal chapels.[9]

Many of the items in the chapel were created in Antwerp workshop of painter Frans Floris (1517–1570).[10]

One of the royal couple’s sons, John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg (1545–1622) had a burial room built in the chapel with an imposing portal of marble and alabaster. [11]

The chapel’s organ is attributed to organ builder Hermann Raphaëlist (ca. 1515-1583) and it is estimated to have been built ca. 1570. The paintwork on the organ case dates mainly from 1626. Hermann Raphaëlis was of Dutch descent and was the son of organ builder Gabriel Raphael Rottensteen. Raphaëlis was summoned to Denmark ca. 1550, supposedly to build an organ for Roskilde Cathedral. Apart from the instrument at Roskilde Cathedral, built in 1555, he also built an organ for the Chapel of Copenhagen Castle in 1557. Raphaëlis later settled in Saxony, where he among other things built organs in the chapels of castles belonging to Elector August of Saxony, the Queen Dorothea’s son-in-law.[12]

Under the west gallery of the chapel there is a choir loft over which there was originally a royal chair; this disappeared when the organ was built in its present position in 1626. The chairs were made by local wood carver, Niels Tagsen, who also fashioned the pulpit and the 3 figures which were placed on the organ in 1626. The organ case and doors were partly repainted by Wulf Petersen of Sønderborg on the same occasion.

The organ was reconstructed in 1996 by Danish organ builder and historian, Mads Kim Kjersgaard, in accordance with 16th century traditions with regard to tone and craftsmanship. The museum has a permanent exhibition of preserved parts from the Renaissance organ, including a rat's nest taken from one of the organ’s bellows.

The Great Hall edit

The Great Hall (Riddersal) is 34 meters long and was the reception room for ducal guests, and the scene of parties and dances. The room is still used for special events, such as in connection with the marriage of Queen Margrethe II's niece, Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg to Count Jefferson-Friedrich von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth in 1998.

Management edit

Sønderborg Castle is owned by the Danish state, run by the Palaces and Properties Agency (Slots- og Ejendomsstyrelsen) and used by Sønderborg Castle Museum, which is jointly owned by the municipality of Sønderborg and by South Jutland County.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ "Sønderborg Castle". visitsonderborg.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Sønderborg Slot, 1230". danmarkshistorien.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  3. ^ "Christian 2.s fængsel". kongeligeslotte.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  4. ^ "Sønderborg Slot". sonderborgkommune.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "Hercules von Oberberg". Kunstindeks Danmark & Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Jørgen Stærmose". Kunstindeks Danmark & Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "Museet på Sønderborg Slot". visitsonderborg.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  8. ^ Økonomiaftale aabenraa.dk
  9. ^ "Dronning Dorotheas Kapel". Museet på Sønderborg Slot. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  10. ^ "Frans Floris". RKD – Nederlands Instituut voor Kunstgeschiedenis. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  11. ^ "Hans den Yngre af Slesvig-Holsten-Sønderborg". hansdenyngre.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  12. ^ Ole Olesen. "Hermann Raphaëlis". Den Store Danske, Gyldendal. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "Sønderborg Slot". msj.dk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.

Other sources edit

  • Otto Norn, Jørgen Paulsen and Jørgen Slettebo, Sønderborg Slot. Historie og bygning, G.E.C. Gad forlag, 1963.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sønderborg Slot.

External links edit

  • The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea

54°54′25″N 9°47′01″E / 54.90694°N 9.78361°E / 54.90694; 9.78361

February 15, 2024
sønderborg, castle, danish, sønderborg, slot, located, town, sønderborg, denmark, island, south, jutland, houses, museum, focusing, history, culture, area, castle, located, middle, town, park, setting, overlooking, fjord, museum, open, year, round, courtyard, . Sonderborg Castle Danish Sonderborg Slot is located in the town of Sonderborg Denmark on the island of Als in South Jutland It houses a museum focusing on the history and culture of the area The castle is located in the middle of the town in a park setting overlooking Als Fjord The museum is open year round 1 Sonderborg CastleSonderborg Castle courtyard Contents 1 History 2 The museum and grounds 3 The Chapel of Sonderborg Castle 4 The Great Hall 5 Management 6 References 7 Other sources 8 External linksHistory editSonderborg Castle began probably as a fortified tower constructed by Valdemar the Great in 1158 built on an islet in Als Strait Als Sund that later was connected to the island of Als As it lies to the south of the isle of Als it was named Sonderborg literally southern fortress compare English Sudbury The castle was built to provide protection against attacks by the Wends and was part of a larger system of fortifications Over the centuries the castle has gradually been enlarged and rebuilt In the years following construction of Valdemar s fortified tower an important struggle developed between the Danish king and the duke of Schleswig over ownership of the island of Als and the town of Sonderborg Ownership of the castle changed hands many times A peak in the history of the castle was the wedding of Valdemar IV of Denmark Valdemar Atterdag ca 1320 1375 to Helvig of Schleswig the sister of Valdemar V Duke of Schleswig 2 Around 1350 the castle was expanded significantly by the addition of both the Blue Tower Blatarn and huge outer walls In 1490 the fortress became the property of the Danish crown Both King Hans and his son Christian II extended Sonderborg Castle and made it into one of the country s strongest fortresses In 1532 Christian II was lured into an ambush and taken to Sonderborg Castle where he was held as a prisoner of state for seventeen years 1532 1549 Legend tells that the dethroned king was confined to the Blue Tower but in reality he lived in comparatively lavish circumstances and probably was allowed freedom of movement within the outer walls if sometimes under closely guarded conditions The former king sometimes even joined the noble hunts at Als 3 4 Christian III in the mid sixteenth century had the fortress modified and converted into a four wing castle by architect Hercules von Oberberg 1517 1602 between 1549 57 King Hans west wing was preserved and a further three wings were added in the new Renaissance style After Christian III s death in 1559 Hercules von Oberberg built the unique castle chapel in 1568 1570 for Queen Mother Dorothea 5 k After Dorothea s death in 1571 the castle passed into the ownership of Hans II Duke of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg also known as Hans the Younger Under his rule the castle became the center of a tiny duchy Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg This however was divided after his death in 1622 The castle remained in the hands of the dukes of Southern Jutland until 1667 when the ruined duchy of Sonderborg was attached to the Danish throne and the castle became a Danish estate The duchy s representative the Prefect Amtmanden took up residence at the castle It was otherwise more or less unused in the years 1667 1718 2 In 1718 1726 Frederik IV had the castle rebuilt in Baroque style by contractor general Wilhelm von Platen The Blue Tower was demolished in 1755 and in 1764 the castle passed into the hands of the Duke of Augustenborg but contrary to expectations the castle did not become the duke s residence Instead it was rented out as a warehouse During both the first and the second Slesvig wars 1848 1850 1864 Sonderborg Castle was used as a camp hospital and for quartering Danish troops After the war of 1864 the province and the castle became Prussian property and served as barracks from 1867 until the area was reunified with Denmark in 1920 The last duke of Augustenborg Ernst Gunther allowed Sonderborg County Museum to move into a part of the castle in 1920 The next year the Danish state bought the castle from the Duke taking over the castle in 1921 and allowing several institutions to use it as long as they paid heed to the expanding museum 2 In 1945 and 1946 the castle was used as an internment camp for persons charged with offenses to the state The Royal Inspectors of Listed State Buildings Peter Koch and Jorgen Staermose conducted a thorough restoration of the castle from 1964 to 1973 returning it to the Baroque form it had been given by Frederik IV in the 1720s The windows from the barracks era were even replaced with masks windows with broad wooden frames made of planks like the ones in Platen s castle 6 The museum and grounds editSince 1921 Sonderborg Castle has been the home for The Sonderborg Castle Museum Museet pa Sonderborg Slot which is the main museum for the former Duchy of Slesvig The museum houses local and regional history collections from the Middle Ages to the present day but with especial focus on the Schleswig wars of 1848 50 and 1864 World War II and the Reunification of 1920 The museum also hosts exhibitions on navigation textiles and handicrafts and has a small art collection with works by prominent Southern Jutland painters over the years 7 The museum is a part of Museum Sonderjylland a constellation of museums in Southern Jutland 8 The original ramparts around the castle became a visible part of the gardens in the 1970s The Chapel of Sonderborg Castle editThe unique chapel of Sonderborg Castle also known as Queen Dorothea s Chapel Dronning Dorotheas Kapel was built 1568 70 by Hercules von Oberberg for Queen Mother Dorothea reflects the changing times in Denmark after the Reformation It is almost untouched and is considered to be one of Europe s oldest and best preserved Lutheran royal chapels 9 Many of the items in the chapel were created in Antwerp workshop of painter Frans Floris 1517 1570 10 One of the royal couple s sons John II Duke of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg 1545 1622 had a burial room built in the chapel with an imposing portal of marble and alabaster 11 The chapel s organ is attributed to organ builder Hermann Raphaelist ca 1515 1583 and it is estimated to have been built ca 1570 The paintwork on the organ case dates mainly from 1626 Hermann Raphaelis was of Dutch descent and was the son of organ builder Gabriel Raphael Rottensteen Raphaelis was summoned to Denmark ca 1550 supposedly to build an organ for Roskilde Cathedral Apart from the instrument at Roskilde Cathedral built in 1555 he also built an organ for the Chapel of Copenhagen Castle in 1557 Raphaelis later settled in Saxony where he among other things built organs in the chapels of castles belonging to Elector August of Saxony the Queen Dorothea s son in law 12 Under the west gallery of the chapel there is a choir loft over which there was originally a royal chair this disappeared when the organ was built in its present position in 1626 The chairs were made by local wood carver Niels Tagsen who also fashioned the pulpit and the 3 figures which were placed on the organ in 1626 The organ case and doors were partly repainted by Wulf Petersen of Sonderborg on the same occasion The organ was reconstructed in 1996 by Danish organ builder and historian Mads Kim Kjersgaard in accordance with 16th century traditions with regard to tone and craftsmanship The museum has a permanent exhibition of preserved parts from the Renaissance organ including a rat s nest taken from one of the organ s bellows The Great Hall editThe Great Hall Riddersal is 34 meters long and was the reception room for ducal guests and the scene of parties and dances The room is still used for special events such as in connection with the marriage of Queen Margrethe II s niece Princess Alexandra of Sayn Wittgenstein Berleburg to Count Jefferson Friedrich von Pfeil und Klein Ellguth in 1998 Management editSonderborg Castle is owned by the Danish state run by the Palaces and Properties Agency Slots og Ejendomsstyrelsen and used by Sonderborg Castle Museum which is jointly owned by the municipality of Sonderborg and by South Jutland County 13 References edit Sonderborg Castle visitsonderborg com Retrieved September 1 2019 a b c Sonderborg Slot 1230 danmarkshistorien dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Christian 2 s faengsel kongeligeslotte dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Sonderborg Slot sonderborgkommune dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Hercules von Oberberg Kunstindeks Danmark amp Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon Retrieved September 1 2019 Jorgen Staermose Kunstindeks Danmark amp Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon Retrieved September 1 2019 Museet pa Sonderborg Slot visitsonderborg dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Okonomiaftale aabenraa dk Dronning Dorotheas Kapel Museet pa Sonderborg Slot Retrieved September 1 2019 Frans Floris RKD Nederlands Instituut voor Kunstgeschiedenis Retrieved September 1 2019 Hans den Yngre af Slesvig Holsten Sonderborg hansdenyngre dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Ole Olesen Hermann Raphaelis Den Store Danske Gyldendal Retrieved September 1 2019 Sonderborg Slot msj dk Retrieved September 1 2019 Other sources editOtto Norn Jorgen Paulsen and Jorgen Slettebo Sonderborg Slot Historie og bygning G E C Gad forlag 1963 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonderborg Slot External links editPalaces and Properties Agency site on Sonderborg Castle Sonderborg Castle Museum in Danish only The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea 54 54 25 N 9 47 01 E 54 90694 N 9 78361 E 54 90694 9 78361 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sonderborg Castle amp oldid 1174098065, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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