Notice the settling of the red merchant house, few straight lines to be found
They were transported by private boats across this narrowest point
Jumping back a few days, we took a fun day trip on our last day in Denmark up to the northern coast to see Kronborg Castle, made famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. We got to walk through the Queen’s chamber where Hamlet stabbed Polonius behind the tapestries and then we danced in the enormous ballroom where the final sword fight takes place and true to a Sahakespeare tragedy, everyone dies.
No one was harmed during our tour, except a bumped head crawling through the casements or checking out the stockade.
This Castle helped build Denmark into an economic powerhouse in the 1500’s because it forced all ships to pay a “Sound Due” as they passed, or risk the power of the Fort’s cannons. Made me think of a few cities I’ve worked in who have thought about taxing those just traveling through. It worked extremely well for Denmark. Actually, they didn’t stop formally collecting these dues until the 1860’s, in a deal brokered by the U.S.
We had sweeping views from the cannon tower and learned about James 1 of England marrying Princess Anne from Denmark in abstentia and then later staying a few moths here in what is now called the Scottish Suite.
Castles are a cold place, and this proved to be even more so, with the wind from the sea and it being December. We bundled up as we headed through town and found another point of interest as we passed the sturdy brick merchant houses which were built by the encouragement of the King and a ten-year tax break to spur economic development. I chuckled as we still do this today.
Josiah wanted to show us a great eatery, so we stopped in at the local train station and could choose fresh organic salads, and pastries made that morning.
Josiah picked up a yummy hot cinnamon roll that he shared with us and we then chuckled at the name of this small eatery.
Just a reminder for us to not judge by what we think things are. We ended up choosing a seafood restaurant and I had a lovely ceviche.
We finished off the day by stopping at the famous Louisiana Modern Art museum and then headed home. It was a full day.
Siri and David Adventures 