Clan Rising
Absalon's Castle today

Denmark · Ruin

Absalon's Castle

Absalons Borg

Absalon's Castle was a 12th‑century fortification founded by Bishop Absalon on the island of Slotsholmen in Copenhagen. It consisted of a limestone curtain wall enclosing a courtyard with the bishop's residence, a chapel and other buildings; the castle was destroyed in 1369 and its remains lie under the present Christiansborg Palace. The archaeological ruins are exposed in subterranean excavations beneath Christiansborg.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1300

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1300

What Absalon's Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact medieval stronghold on the island of Slotsholmen, defined by a continuous curtain wall built of pale Stevns limestone blocks encircling an enclosed courtyard. Within the wall stood several clustered buildings, the bishop's residence, a small stone chapel and ancillary domestic structures, arranged around a central yard containing a timber 'hulk' well. The castle sat at the harbour edge of Copenhagen, its masonry showing regular coursing and medieval construction techniques; the whole site was intact and occupied.

Its story

The story of Absalon's Castle.

According to the chronicler Saxo Grammaticus, Bishop Absalon of Roskilde founded this castle on the island of Slotsholmen in 1167 to protect the emerging city of Copenhagen, which King Valdemar I had granted him a decade earlier. A limestone curtain wall quarried from Stevns Cliffs enclosed a courtyard holding the bishop's residence, a chapel and several minor buildings.

On Absalon's death in 1201 the castle and city passed to the Diocese of Roskilde, and for almost two centuries crown and church bitterly contested possession. In 1368 a coalition of King Valdemar IV's enemies, the Hanseatic League foremost, with Albert of Sweden, the Duke of Mecklenburg and the counts of Holstein, conquered and plundered it, demolishing the castle completely in 1369. Its ruins can be seen today in the subterranean excavations beneath Christiansborg Palace.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1300.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Absalon's Castle, including 5 interiors: central courtyard, bishop's residence (exterior), castle chapel (interior) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the harbourCurtain wall, outer faceCentral courtyardBishop's residence (exterior)Castle chapel (interior)Hulk well in the yardFoundations of internal houses

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Absalon's Castle.

Christiansborg Palace, DenmarkPalaceChristiansborg Palace0 km awayTivoli Gardens, DenmarkGardenTivoli Gardens1 km awayRosenborg Castle, DenmarkPalaceRosenborg Castle1 km away

Questions about Absalon's Castle

What is the history of Absalon's Castle?

Absalon's Castle was founded in the 12th century to protect the emerging city of Copenhagen. Bishop Absalon established it on Slotsholmen in 1167, and the castle and city passed to the Diocese of Roskilde after his death in 1201. A coalition led by the Hanseatic League conquered it in 1368 and demolished it completely in 1369. Its remains were later covered by Christiansborg Palace.

What is inside Absalon's Castle?

Inside Absalon's Castle were an enclosed central courtyard, the bishop's residence, a chapel and several smaller buildings. The courtyard contained a hulk well made from hollowed-out oak trunks, while excavations have revealed foundations of internal houses. The surviving ruins also include parts of the castle chapel and the exterior of the bishop's residence beneath Christiansborg Palace.

Why was Absalon's Castle built, and what was it used for?

Absalon's Castle was built to protect the emerging city of Copenhagen. Bishop Absalon founded the fortification on Slotsholmen in 1167, using a limestone curtain wall to enclose a courtyard containing his residence, a chapel and other buildings. Its defensive role was reinforced by the enclosing wall and later towers, which allowed defenders to fire along the wall.

Where is Absalon's Castle?

Absalon's Castle was in Copenhagen, on the island of Slotsholmen. It stood at the harbour edge, on the site later occupied by Copenhagen Castle and Christiansborg Palace. The surviving ruins are in subterranean excavations beneath Christiansborg Palace, within Copenhagen Municipality.

When was Absalon's Castle built?

Absalon's Castle was built in the 12th century, in 1167. Bishop Absalon founded it on Slotsholmen as a fortification protecting the emerging city of Copenhagen. The site's first-raised year is not recorded, but the historical account gives 1167 as its foundation date.

Was Absalon's Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Absalon's Castle was attacked and conquered in 1368 by a coalition led by the Hanseatic League. The attackers also included Albert of Sweden, the Duke of Mecklenburg and the counts of Holstein. The castle fell, was occupied and plundered, and was demolished completely the following year as a result of the peace treaty.

What did Absalon's Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Absalon's Castle was a compact medieval stronghold enclosed by a continuous limestone curtain wall. Pale, regularly coursed Stevns limestone blocks formed the wall around an enclosed courtyard, where the bishop's residence, a small stone chapel and other buildings stood around a timber hulk well. Later additions included two brick towers for defence.

Is Absalon's Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Absalon's Castle is a ruin rather than a standing castle. The castle was demolished completely in 1369, and only parts of its curtain wall, house foundations and a hulk well survive. These remains were uncovered during excavations and can be seen today in the subterranean ruins beneath Christiansborg Palace.

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