Vordingborg Attractions
Zealand
Vordingborg is delightfully situated on the south coast of Zealand, not far from the Storstrom Bridge which links Falster and Zealand. There are ferries from Vordingborg to Germany (Warnemünde and Rostock) via Gedser.
History
In the 12th C. Valdemar the Great built a castle on the plateau which falls steeply away to the south. This castle formed part of the fortifications erected by the Danes on the coasts of the Baltic as protection against the Wends. In addition, Vordingborg was important because it was situated at the place where the ferry crossed to Falster. In the Middle Ages Danish kings often resided in the castle and until the end of the 13th century the Danish Court held its meetings in Vordingborg.
The town later lost much of its importance and in 1658 the Swedish King Gustav took Vordingborg after his unopposed landing on Zealand. It is now a garrison town.
Vordingborg is delightfully situated on the south coast of Zealand, not far from the Storstrom Bridge which links Falster and Zealand. There are ferries from Vordingborg to Germany (Warnemünde and Rostock) via Gedser.
History
In the 12th C. Valdemar the Great built a castle on the plateau which falls steeply away to the south. This castle formed part of the fortifications erected by the Danes on the coasts of the Baltic as protection against the Wends. In addition, Vordingborg was important because it was situated at the place where the ferry crossed to Falster. In the Middle Ages Danish kings often resided in the castle and until the end of the 13th century the Danish Court held its meetings in Vordingborg.
The town later lost much of its importance and in 1658 the Swedish King Gustav took Vordingborg after his unopposed landing on Zealand. It is now a garrison town.
Read More
Vordingborg Castle Ruins
The Vordingborg Castle Ruins consist of the curtain walls and the Goose Tower, which is crowned with a golden goose.
Church of Our Lady
On Kirketorvet in Vordingborg stands the Gothic Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke), built in brick and probably dating from about 1400. At that time the Pope allowed the parishioners to buy "letters of indulgence", thus granting them remission from temporal punishment for their sins; the income from this was used to finance extensions to the church.
The choir is decorated with some notable frescoes (1450), portraying the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, etc. The interesting altar-piece is by Abel Schroder the Younger; it shows Our Lord's Crucifixion, with Christian IV's monogram above.
The choir is decorated with some notable frescoes (1450), portraying the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, etc. The interesting altar-piece is by Abel Schroder the Younger; it shows Our Lord's Crucifixion, with Christian IV's monogram above.
Health and Environment Center
Outside the Vordingborg to the west, at Præstegårdsvej 9, is the "Videnscentret", a Health and Environment Center, which the visitor may find interesting. Films are shown on the human immune system and other subjects, and information on healthy living is supplied.
The center is part of a larger complex, the Vordingborg Vandrerhjem. a Youth and Family Hostel in the gardens of a former rectory (Platangården). There is also a cafe ("Platancafé) which is open every Friday from 6-10pm; musical performances ranging from classical to jazz help to provide a most pleasant atmosphere.
The center is part of a larger complex, the Vordingborg Vandrerhjem. a Youth and Family Hostel in the gardens of a former rectory (Platangården). There is also a cafe ("Platancafé) which is open every Friday from 6-10pm; musical performances ranging from classical to jazz help to provide a most pleasant atmosphere.
Hours
July 2 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
South Zealand Museum
Near the fortress ruins in Vordingborg will be found the South Zealand Museum. Its exhibits include Stone Age finds as well as local and municipal history collections. Of special interest is an aquamanile, a medieval vessel from which water was poured over the priests' hands during Mass. Behind the museum lies a herb-garden, laid out in 1921, containing plants once used for medicinal purposes.
Svaerdborg, Denmark
(Near Vordingborg)
From Udby it is worthwhile making a detour west to Sværdborg. In the medieval village church are Gothic frescoes with scenes from the life of Christ; note particularly the "Warning that the End of the World is Nigh", including "Stars Falling from the Heavens", "Life Comes to an End", etc.
Udby
North of the town of Vordingborg lies Udby, where the Danish theologian and popular educationist Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig was born in a rectory in 1783; he died in Copenhagen in 1872. There is a museum here in his memory. A man of varied literary talents, he published sermons, hymns and translations, as well as writing a treatise on the history of the world. His main passion, however, was the education of the masses, and in 1844 he founded the first adult education college in Rødding (Jutland).
