The Architecture of Koldinghus

Experience the encounter of new and old as one of our guides introduces you to the castle’s architectural highlight, the Ruin Hall. Here you can hear the story of the Ruin Hall’s transformation from burnt-out ruin to architectural masterpiece.

In 1972, the architect couple Inger and Johannes Exner were commissioned to renovate Koldinghus, which had remained a burnt-out ruin for more than 150 years. The goal of the renovation was not to restore the castle to its former appearance before the fire in 1808. Instead, the Exners wanted to leave the ruin largely intact, as the visible illustration of a dramatic period in the castle’s and the kingdom’s history. Thus, their renovation protects the ruin with a new and imposing architectural structure that frames and highlights the ruin’s storytelling potential.

On this guided tour of the architecture of Koldinghus Castle, you can hear the story of the castle’s largest and most significant feature, the Ruin Hall, which received the 1993 Europa Nostra Heritage Award and provides an important source of knowledge about the castle’s architectural history.

Book your guided tour here