Hirschholm Palace

Hirschholm Palace, also known as Hørsholm Palace, was a royal palace located in present-day Hørsholm municipality just north of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 1740s and, one of the finest buildings of its time, it became known as the "Versailles of the North. It developed a notorious reputation in connection with its role in the affair between Johann Friedrich Struensee and Queen Caroline Mathilda in the 1770s. After that it fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1809-13. The palace was designed by Lauritz de Thurah for King Christian VI and his consort Queen Sophie Magdalene, and was intended as their summer residence. Hirschholm Palace was built on a site that had been used since the Middle Ages.

From around 1100 there was a fortification at site known as Horningsholm. In 1391 the estate became crown land when Queen Margrete I took possession of the property. At the end of the 16th century Frederik II and Christian IV built a royal hunting castle lodge on the site. The estate, which covered a large area was called the Noble Estate of Horsholm and was endowed to various noblemen and members of the royal court.