The town of Ringsted, situated in Central Zealand, is an important traffic hub; road 14 from Næstved to Roskilde intersects the east-west highway A1/E20 from Copenhagen to Korsør.
History
Until well into the fourth century Ringsted was the location of the "Thing" (local assembly), just as Odense was for Funen and Viborg for Jutland. On the occasion of religious festivals people from all over the island assembled here; justice was also dispensed at the "Thing" site.
In the Middle Ages Ringsted was one of the most important towns in the country.
The first church was built about 1080; the body of Duke Knud Lavard, who was slain by Magnus the Strong, a son of King Niets (1104-34), was buried here. In 1169 Knud Lavard, who was revered by the people, was canonised. After 1160 King Valdemar I had a new and larger church built, and until 1341 the kings of Denmark were buried here. The town grew up around the church and the Benedictine Monastery which had been founded several decades earlier but was destroyed by fire in 1800. Industries became established in the town in the 19th century and the railroad arrived.
The E20 from Ringsted leads in a westerly direction to Sorø. Just before reaching Slaglille a country road branches off to the village of Bjernede. Here there is an interesting two-story round church, the only one in Zealand, dating from 1150-75. The interior vaulting is borne on four pillars. The roof and small octagonal tower were added in the course of restoration in 1890-2. Note the granite font and Triumphal Cross.
The Fantasy World contains hundreds of mechanical figures based on fairytales. It also features Santa's World with elves and reindeer. As well, there is a wild west area with gunfights, rodeo riding, a mountain maze and gold prospecting.
Address: Fantasy World, Eventyrvej 13, DK-4100 Ringsted, Denmark
Hours:
May 28 to August 28: 10am-5pm
October 1 to December 30: 10am-5pm
Always closed on: Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Fjenneslev, 8 km/5mi west of Ringsted, is a village with a twin-towered church which was originally built of flint and limestone. Note the Crucifix by Claus Berg on the altar and the 12th C. frescoes portraying the Adoration of the Magi and the Flight into Egypt.
In 1920 the land belonging to the former monastery passed into the possession of Ringsted, and on the south and west of St Benedict's Church a park was laid out. Later the east side of the church was also opened up. In 1936-7 the Town Hall was built on the north side of the open space; designed by Steen Eiler, it is a two-storied brick building with a copper roof. Nearby stands a statue of Valdemar the Great.
Two towers remain of Ringsted's town wall which formed part of the medieval fortifications. In the market square can be seen three stones, the "Tingstener", recalling the earliest days of Ringsted.
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Bjernede, Denmark
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