Shakespeare Premiere!

Hamlet Map

Hamlet was first staged at the Globe Theatre in London, and while certain details in the play allude to the theater's own layout, the castle of Elsinore is in all likelihood based on the real-life Kronborg Castle in Denmark. Many details from the site are instantly recognizable. This richly illustrated Hamlet map depicts the castle and its surroundings much as they appeared when Shakespeare wrote the play.

Even though Shakespeare probably never visited Denmark himself, it is well known that several members of his acting troupe had been to Elsinore to perform for the King; thus, Shakespeare would have had a solid understanding of the castle. A good number of the descriptions align with the real castle, though not all. The "dreadful summit of the cliff" described in the play is hard to find in the actual vicinity of Elsinore. However, it is historically accurate that during the Danish King’s dinners, it was common for the King’s toast to be heralded by trumpets—first in the hall, then by trumpeters at the top of the Trumpet Tower, followed by cannon volleys from the bastions below, exactly as described in Act 1, Scene 4.

The map is based on European maps from the late 16th century, while the castle itself is drawn from its modern appearance (having visited recently), as well as older illustrations and blueprints. The Renaissance castle that existed in Shakespeare’s time was completed in 1585 and was widely renowned. The castle burned in 1629, leaving only the chapel intact, but it was later restored to its former glory. In 1658, the castle was captured by the Swedes, and the upper section of the cannon tower destroyed during the siege was never rebuilt. The Swedes took many items as war booty, including a large, beautifully decorated fountain that stood in the courtyard, topped with a figure of Neptune. Interestingly, Neptune receives a brief mention early in the play.

It has been an absolute joy to study Hamlet in depth, and I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Conor Hanratty’s excellent Hamlet podcast (along with many other Shakespeare podcasts). My thanks to Poul Grinder-Hansen and other authors who have written about Kronborg, Elsinore, and its surroundings. My thanks to Denmark—which isn't "rotten" at all, but quite fresh. And, of course, thanks to Shakespeare!

Shakespeare relief at Kronborg Castle in Denmark, 2025