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