Places I have been
2 - Elsinore
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Our week in Denmark was spent in Copenhagen which provided days of ambling through parks, along quaysides, canals and around a variety of interesting buildings and museums. There was also time to explore further afield.
A short train ride brought us to Helsingor, a pretty town with medieval streets and a magnificent castle called Kronburg. This is the Elsinore, of Hamlet fame.
It was built in the 15th century. Its purpose was to control the narrow strait between Denmark and Sweden and collect tolls from passing ships. A troupe of English actors performed there in 1585 and Shakespeare is thought to have obtained details of it from them. Certainly many scenes in the play, in galleries and courtyard, fit the geography of the castle. From time to time the play is performed within it by the great and good of the acting world.
