When you arrive at the castle, you tend to quickly pass through the gateway to reach the courtyard and the entrance. The courtyard is quite pleasant, but the Renaissance front facade is the real highlight. The architect, Ingeborg Skeel (+1604), apparently had such an excellent relationship with King Frederik II that he gave her the wonderful sandstone portal, which was actually created for Frederiksborg Castle. Little ones can enjoy watching the swallows that have built a nest right next to the keystone and flit back and forth to feed their hungry young, the family of swans crossing in strict formation on the moat, or the heraldic lions cheekily sticking out their tongues. The sandstone work is wonderful and worthy of a royal castle. Strong warriors gaze out at you, somewhat faded-looking ladies, a court jester dances between the windows. All kinds of artistic tendrils, grotesques and animal faces create a great variety and liveliness of the façade.