Gråsten Palace Chapel, which is in the north wing, is the only part of Gråsten Palace that is open to the public. The chapel was opened in 1702 and was the only section of Ahlefeldt’s old castle to survive the fire of 1757. The chapel interior is richly adorned with a column-supported gallery on three sides, while the large, grandiose Baroque altarpiece covers the whole of the fourth wall from floor to ceiling.
The vaulted stucco ceiling is decorated with angels and putti against a light-blue sky. The column-adorned gallery has a gilded balustrade (parapet) and incorporates a luxury chair placed opposite a Rococo pulpit from around the time that the palace was rebuilt after the fire. The gallery’s ceiling has embedded octagonal paintings.
The chapel interior is lavishly decorated all over with around 80 paintings by local artists, all following a copper-engraved pattern. The paintings take their inspiration from the Jesuit chapel of St Carlo Borromeo in Antwerp. The chapel is used as a parish church.
Events
In the summer the Royal Family often attends the public services, and a number of cultural events are also held. Both a Danish-speaking and a German-speaking congregation attend the chapel.
Last updated:: Monday, March 16, 2009
