The Ghosts of Frederiksberg Castle: Echoes Behind Baroque Walls



Standing with serene elegance atop Valby Hill in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Castle is a striking example of Italian Baroque influence in Denmark. Constructed in the early 1700s as a summer retreat for King Frederick IV, the castle today is home to the Royal Danish Military Academy. Its terraced gardens, sweeping staircases, and golden halls seem fit for royal leisure but behind its ornate walls, stories persist of ghosts that linger long after the last monarch departed.

Though Frederiksberg Castle is not as overtly haunted as some of Denmark’s medieval ruins, its refined atmosphere belies a haunted history rooted in royal secrets, tragic losses, and whispered sightings of figures from the past.

Whispers of King Frederick IV

One of the most frequently mentioned spirits said to haunt Frederiksberg Castle is King Frederick IV himself. Known for his many affairs, multiple marriages (including bigamous ones), and personal conflicts, Frederick's reign was as complex as the gilded halls of his palace.

Legend has it that Frederick's spirit remains tethered to the very palace he built and adored. Guards, cadets, and staff have reported the sensation of being watched in the royal wing, where the king once spent his summers. In the quiet of the night, footsteps have echoed in locked corridors, and a male figure in 18th-century attire has been seen pacing slowly across the floors, disappearing before anyone can approach.

The Weeping Woman in White

Another ghostly presence said to haunt Frederiksberg is a sorrowful woman in white, often linked to one of Frederick IV's mistresses or possibly a dismissed servant who met a tragic end. According to local lore, this figure has been spotted near the grand staircase or standing motionless at the windows overlooking the gardens. Witnesses report hearing soft sobbing sounds or feeling an intense wave of sadness just moments before seeing her. Some believe she is searching for a lost child or mourning a love affair cut short by royal decree.

Echoes in the Academy

Since becoming the Royal Danish Military Academy in the 19th century, Frederiksberg Castle has been a place of discipline, training and, curiously, an increase in paranormal reports. Cadets and instructors alike have shared stories of doors opening and closing on their own, items being moved without explanation, and sudden drops in temperature in certain historic rooms. One tale recounts a young soldier who awoke in the night to see a figure standing at the end of his bed, dressed in what appeared to be an antique military uniform. When the cadet turned on the light, the figure vanished but the air in the room remained icy for hours afterward.

Haunted Tunnels Beneath the Castle?

Beneath Frederiksberg Castle runs a network of old tunnels and cellars, some of which date back to its earliest construction. These shadowy passages, once used for storage and escape routes, have long fueled rumors of darker activity. Some say they were used to hide illicit royal affairs—or even to imprison enemies of the crown. Strange noises, whispers, and moving shadows have all been reported by those who have dared to explore them, and they remain one of the most unsettling features of the estate.

The Past Still Walks These Halls

Today, Frederiksberg Castle stands as a regal reminder of Denmark’s royal past and military present. Its haunted history adds an eerie depth to its already rich narrative. Whether it's the lingering spirit of a king, the sorrowful specter of a lost soul, or the restless energy beneath its foundations, the castle’s supernatural tales continue to captivate and unsettle those who walk its polished halls.

Is it simply the weight of history playing tricks on the mind or is there something more? Something still walking the rooms after centuries, waiting to be seen?