The Dazzling Wealth of Denmark’s Monarchy
Last week’s
account of our trip to Scandinavia centered around the fast paced
action of the tour from the very onset in Stockholm, Sweden. The tour
book, my notes and Al’s photographs have all been useful in
remembering what transpired during the blur of those 16 days.
After spending two
nights at a very nice hotel in Stockholm, on Sunday morning we
traveled about 350 miles south to Helsingborg and from there took the
ferry across an inlet of the Baltic Sea to Denmark, continuing by bus
about 30 miles to the city of Copenhagen. Once there, we were
amazed to see large numbers of people riding bicycles downtown. Bikes
were parked in front of nearly every building. Later we learned that
bicycling is the main mode of transportation in that city and that
many folks even ride them during the winter!
During the
afternoon our tour guide, Andrei, accompanied a small group of us to
see the Tivoli Gardens, a popular Danish ‘amusement park’ dating
back to 1843.There were lavish hanging baskets and beautiful lanterns
that gave it a magical appearance at night. According to Andrei, Walt
Disney was inspired after a visit to the gardens and patterned
Disneyland after Tivoli. With rides, carnival games, restaurants and
a parade of costumed characters, it did remind me of Disneyland,
except on a much smaller scale.
There was no chance
of sleeping in on Monday morning as our bags had to be packed and
ready to be stored on the bus at 6:45. An overnight ferry ride was
scheduled for later that day to Telemark, Norway; but first our group
would take a bus tour of the city and then some of us would go on a
canal cruise through centuries old neighborhoods. It was raining
outside, but there was no talk of canceling the canal cruise.
The highlight of
the morning’s bus tour was a visit to the Rosenborg Castle, home of
the Danish monarchy. It was built in the early 1600’s by Christian
IV, King of Denmark-Norway. Lavishly furnished and decorated from
fresco ceilings to tile floors, the castle was an amazing place to
see. In the impressive throne room stood two thrones side by side: a
silver throne for the Queen and a larger, more ornate one of ivory
for the King, made from narwhals’ tusks.
Special rooms were
filled with the gifts received by the monarchy from all over the
world during the last five hundred years. Most of the items were rare
and beautiful works of art, hand carved from ivory or amber found in
that region of the world. From there, the amazement just grew, as we
descended into the treasury where the royal jewels were displayed.
Located in a
basement room of the castle were the jewels belonging to the
monarchy. In the 1700’s, one of the queens stipulated in her will
that the jewels always be kept together for the use of those who
would come after her. Displayed under
glass were the king and queen’s golden crowns shimmering with light
reflecting from diamonds, rubies and other precious gem stones.
Crosses of gold adorned the top of each crown.
An exquisite saddle,
inlaid with tiny pearls and other gems, was only used once by
nobility during a special ceremony and then stored away in the
treasury. The collection also included a golden sword, jeweled
watches, rings and necklaces. We were well aware that all of the
rooms were carefully guarded and alarmed.
To someone from
middle class America, the treasures of Rosenborg were dazzling and
mind boggling, representing a whole different world. And isn’t it
the same when we think of heaven? How little we know about the
riches of the God of all creation!
Yet, we can know
the richness of His love and forgiveness, His mercy and grace, His
plan of salvation in Christ and the power to change and transform
lives through the Holy Spirit living in us. And yes, we, His
children, are rich!
“Riches I heed
not, or man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my
treasure Thou art.” (“Be Thou My Vision,” translated from an
ancient Irish hymn by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, 1912, Wikipedia)
“Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33 NIV
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