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Founded: 1756-1757Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Denmark
Historical period: Absolutism (Denmark)
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Sorgenfri Palace was built by the architect Francois Dieussart in 1705-06 for Carl Count Ahlefeldt. From 1730, this country house was owned by the royal family, and Crown Prince Frederik (V) had court architect Lauritz de Thurah build a wing for the gentlemen of the Court and a horse stable. When Frederik V became king, the palace was given to his aunt, grand duchess Sophie Caroline of East Friesland, who let de Thurah demolish the main building in 1756-57 and build a new palace. From 1791-94, the heir apparent, Frederik (VI), expanded and modernised the palace.
Frederik VII later transferred the palace to the state. In 1898, the state placed the palace at the disposal of Crown Prince Christian (X) after modern conveniences and a glassed veranda were installed. Sorgenfri Palace was Christian X and Queen Alexandrine’s preferred summer residence, and both Frederik IX and the heir presumptive, Prince Knud, were born there. Prince Knud and his wife, Princess Caroline-Mathilde, lived in the Palace until their deaths in 1976 and 1995, respectively. Sorgenfri Palace is not open to the public, but part of the park is accessible to the public.
References:Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.