Christiansborg Palace houses several institutions of significant importance. Most of the premises at the palace are at the disposal of the Danish Folketing, but the palace also houses the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. Large parts of the palace are also at the disposal of the Royal Family and many of the Queen’s official functions take place here.
The present Christiansborg
The third and present Christiansborg was built between 1907-28 by the architect Thorvald Jørgensen in a so-called Neo-baroque style. It is partly built in ferro-concrete with granite cladded façades. The base of the façade facing the Palace Square is cladded with granite collected from the entire country, including Greenland. Above the windows of the façade, portraits of famous figures from the history of Denmark are displayed as well as the city and municipality arms.
To begin with the roofing was made of tiles, but after a national collection the tiles were replaced by copper in 1937-38. The 106 metre high tower is the highest tower in Copenhagen. The concrete construction and copper cladding are currently under renovation.
Palace design
Roughly Christiansborg is parted in the middle with the southern half being used by the Folketing and the northern half by the Royal Family, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s Office. The various parts of the palace have their own entrance and it is normally not possible to go from one part of the palace to another within the palace walls.
The Folketing
The south wing of the palace houses the Folketing. Covering three floors of the palace, the impressive Folketing Chamber faces the Christiansborg Palace Square. In the opposite end of the wing is the former Landsting Hall. The two halls are adjoined by the 83 metre long Lobby.
The Folketing may be visited on guided tours. Debates in the Folketing Chamber may be attended from the Public Galleries. Read more about the Folketing on the Folketing website.
The Royal Reception Rooms
Available for the Royal Family, the Royal Reception Rooms are located in the palace’s north wing. The rooms stretch from the Throne Room behind the centre wing balcony and throughout the entire north wing where you will find, e.g., the Great Hall, which is the largest hall of Christiansborg.
The Queen uses Christiansborg on a regular basis, e.g. in connection with audiences, gala banquets, reception of ambassadors and New Year levees.
The Royal Reception Rooms are open to the public when the Royal Family is not using the premises. Read more about the Royal Receptions Rooms here.
The Prime Minister’s Office
The Prime Minister’s Office is situated in the north wing on the top floor above the Royal Reception Rooms. The Ministry’s premises were originally intended as the Royal Family’s private flat at Christiansborg. As this flat was never used, the majority of the premises functioned for many years as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until the Prime Minister’s Office took over the premises in 1980.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Denmark is housed in the north wing on the ground floor below the Royal Receptions Rooms. The older of the two court rooms is situated in the wing end facing the Riding Ground Complex. The Supreme Court also has rooms in the building of the Riding Ground Complex.
Last updated:: Tuesday, March 26, 2013
