Friday, September 25, 2026

History Highlights

Rosenborg, the Castle That Guards Denmark’s Crown Jewels

Built by King Christian IV as a pleasure palace, Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen now keeps the Danish crown jewels, coronation thrones, and silver lions.

Drottningholm, the Versailles of the North

A queen’s Baroque palace on an island near Stockholm, Drottningholm survives complete with its gardens, Chinese pavilion, and unique court theatre.

Pena Palace, the Fairy-Tale Castle Above Sintra

The colourful, dreamlike Pena Palace is Portugal’s masterpiece of Romanticism, built by an artist-king on a misty peak above Sintra.

Ajuda, Lisbon’s Unfinished Royal Palace

Born from earthquake and fire, the Ajuda National Palace became the last home of the Portuguese monarchy and one of Lisbon’s richest museums.

Mafra, the Palace a King Built From a Vow

How a royal vow, a fortune in Brazilian gold, and tens of thousands of labourers raised Portugal’s colossal Mafra National Palace.