Children & Family Activities
Ages 4–7
Welcome to my home!
My name is Valdemar Christian and I am a prince.
I was born 400 years ago, when there were no phones or cars, or even prime ministers.
Back then, kings ruled over Europe and in Denmark my father, King Christian IV, was in charge. He built this palace for me – and that is why it’s called Valdemars Slot.
Come with me and I will tell you some stories about the palace and show you the artworks that we have here – some very old, and some new. Along the way, we will play some games together.
Are you ready?
Let’s begin.
The Entrance Hall
The chairs and benches that you can see here are sculptures by an artist called Jiří Georg Dokoupil, who is from Czech Republic.
They are called Furniture for Fotos. Help Dokoupil bring these works to life and take a seat, and a photo.
It looks like you're in a cartoon!
Niels Juel
Find this painting in the entrance hall. It shows Admiral Niels Juel in his finest clothing.
Look at the painting. What do you think he was like?
Niels Juel is a Danish hero who commanded ships to win wars for Denmark and Norway 350 years ago.
My father, King Christian IV, gave Valdemars Slot to the Admiral to celebrate his victory at The Battle of Køge Bay in 1677.
What colours can you see in the painting? How do the colours make you feel?
What animal you see on the chain around the Admiral’s neck? What noise does it make?
The King’s Room
Find the painting of me, in my fine yellow coat and big red trousers.
Also in this room are many pictures of Denmark’s kings on their horses, which were all were painted over 300 years ago.
Can you count the number of paintings in this room?
Everyone wore a hat in the eighteenth century. How many hats can you count?
There is a dog standing in one of the paintings. Can you find him?
Which painting do you like best? Why is it your favourite?
The Garden Room
Today, Louise Iuel-Brockdorff Albinus owns Valdemars Slot and she lives here with her two children and two little dogs.
Louise is Admiral Niels Juel’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great granddaughter. In this room, you can see other people from their family, who lived here hundreds of years ago.
There were no cameras back then. If you wanted a picture of yourself, you had to ask a painter. It was expensive to have your portrait made, so you had to be careful to choose your best clothes.
What would you wear? Now pose as if you’re in front of the painter.
The Verdure Tapestries
These tapestries show an imaginary garden, full of exotic plants and birds.
They were woven over 300 years ago in Belgium, when it was famous for making beautiful tapestries. All the castles and palaces in Europe wanted one from their workshops.
How many birds can you find?
Who do you think would live in a place like this?
The Chapel
Look out at the chapel from the tall balcony. The walls are painted to look like beautiful grey stone. What other colours can you see?
Can you see the model ship? Why do you think the ship is here, in a church?
There are lots of pictures in the chapel. Name what you can you see painted in the ceiling.
Can you find the two new paintings by Dokoupil? Some people say that his Soap-Bubble paintings look like sea creatures. What do the paintings make you think of?
Look out of the window.
Everything inside this room is blue! What can you see outside that is blue?
Ask someone in your group to guess what you are thinking of
I spy with my little eye…
The Ballroom
Here there are three enormous portraits, which have been in this spot for hundreds of years. King Frederik V is in the middle and his two wives, Louise and Juliane Marie, on each side.
Look the king in the eyes and walk across the room. No matter where you stand, he always seems to be looking at you!
Look at the huge gold frames. What animals can you find?
If this picture of King Frederik V could speak, what do you think he would say?
If you were King for just one day, what is the first thing you would do?
