May 6 Helsingor Castle

Today we took a train up the coast to Helsingor Castle.  It is located on a strategic sound (strait) between Denmark and Sweden, but 400 hundred years ago Denmark controlled southern Norway and Sweden (as well as part of Finland and Germany), so all merchant ships sailing into the Baltic Sea had to pass through this little stretch of water, which was controlled by the Danes. Being entrepreneurial, the Danes imposed a tax on all these ships and made lots of Kroner (money).  In return for this tax, the Danish Navy guaranteed safe passage and rid the region of all pirates.  Eventually Denmark lost southern Sweden to the Swedes. Controlling only half the sound, Denmark could no longer demand payment for passage. (I don't have a working flash, so no pictures from inside the castle - check the students' blogs for more pictures.)



Everyone waiting for the train in Copenhagen (Kirsten is hiding behind Britta).

Megan reflecting on the train.

 

At the Gate

Karissa photographing some of her Flat Stanleys in a castle turret.

This castle was the site of spectacularly extravagant parties during much of the middle ages. The King often brought in foreign musicians and actors to entertain his guests at these shindigs (he had lots of money to spend). Two English actors who were paid to bring theatre companies from England eventually started a company called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.  William Shakespeare was an actor who worked for these two men and was also the other founding member of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, so the Danes believe William Shakespeare performed as an actor at Helsingor and then subsequently chose Helsingor as the setting for Hamlet.  Hamlet is actually based on an old Danish legend about a man named Amlet.

Amy, Britta, Hope, and Alli at the castle moat.



Nesting swans in the moat.



A sculpture on the walk from the train to the Castle.

 

Sights on the walk to the castle.

Old houses on the way to the castle.

Lots of great sights at the castle.  Afternoon was free time for students to pack for our trip to Odense, Denmark tomorrow. In the evening Karla and I went to Tivoli Gardens again to see all the lights.



Dragon in the Chinese area of Tivoli Gardens.



Lights on the roller coaster and a pagoda at Tivoli Gardens.