Zealand
District: Roskilde amt
Køge, an old port with notable industry, is situated south of Copenhagen on Koge Bay, on the east coast of Zealand.
History
The town was probably founded as a result of the profitable catches of herring in the Øresund and the associated fishing trade; it received its first privileges in 1288
Although until the end of the 16th C. trade was principally with towns in North Germany, the Dutch now came more to the fore; in addition, Køge became the home of woodcarvers, goldsmiths and shoemakers. The town suffered severely in the wars of the 17th C. The Danish maritime hero Niels Juel inflicted considerable damage on the Swedish fleet in Køge Bay in 1677. The town enjoyed a fresh upswing in the 19th C.