The chief place on the island of Als is the old town of Sønderborg (pop. approximately 30,000), which is situated at the southern end of the island and has spread onto the promontory on the opposite side of the Als Sund. The two towns are linked by a bridge over the narrow Sound to the west of the island. To the southeast of the town on Sønderborg Bay is a wood of old trees.
A number of modern sculptures can be found in Sønderborg including: in Town Hall Square, "Alspigen" by Adam Fischer, a symbol of the island's fertility (1951); in the pedestrian precinct, "Gateway to the Mind" by Jorgen Haugen Sorenson (1979); in the garden of the chemist's shop, "The Largest Vase in the World" by Aksel Krog and other artists (1989 Guinness Book of Records); on the promenade, "Young Lady Seated" by Victor Kvedéris (1962).
In St Mary's Church in Sønderborg, built in 1625 and restored in this century, can be seen 17th C. wood carvings, a 1625 altar and a pulpit dating from 1559. Sønderborg also has a modern church, Christian Church; built in 1957 by the architects Esben and Kåre Klint in a Gothic style, it can be compared with Grundtvig Church in Copenhagen. The church's pride and joy is a small 14th C. crucifix.
The medieval castle in Sønderborg, a building with four wings, was where King Christian II was imprisoned between 1532 and 1539. Note the Renaissance chapel of 1571. The castle is now a museum with collections of historical material and art.
Address: Museet på Sønderborg Slot, Sønderbro 1, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark
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