Sønderborg Castle stands on the island of Als in southern Denmark. It began around 1158 as a fortified tower built by Valdemar the Great to defend against Wendish attacks. It was enlarged over the centuries, notably around 1350 with the Blue Tower and outer walls. King Christian II was held there as a prisoner of state from 1532 to 1549.
Christian III commissioned Hercules von Oberberg to convert the fortress into a Renaissance castle with four wings between 1549 and 1557. Oberberg also designed the chapel for Queen Mother Dorothea, built from 1568 to 1570, which is considered one of Europe's oldest and best-preserved Lutheran royal chapels. Frederik IV had the castle rebuilt in the Baroque style from 1718 to 1726, under Wilhelm von Platen.
The Danish state bought it in 1921, and it is now home to the Sønderborg Castle Museum.
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