Kolding Tourist Attractions
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JutlandSituationThe lively port of Kolding nestles among hills on the fjord of the same name on the east coast of Jutland. This region is an angler's paradise.
Koldinghus Castle and Museum
By a lake, the Slotsøen, in the center of Kolding stands Koldinghus Castle, built in 1248. For centuries Koldinghus Slot, a four-winged edifice, was the favorite residence of the kings of Denmark. In 1808, when Denmark had allied itself with Napoleon and Spanish soldiers were billeted in the castle, it was destroyed by fire. A start was made on rebuilding it in 1890, but it was to be another 100 years before it was finished.In the restored ground floor of the north wing is an Historical and Cultural Museum, with exhibits covering the history of the town and the surrounding area, Romanesque and Gothic sculptures and hand-crafted articles including porcelain, stoneware and silver.There is a special exhibition devoted to the wars against Prussia in 1848-50 and 1864.Concerts and other cultural events are also held in the castle.The museum houses a gold and silver collection, a collection of Danish fine and decorative arts, and a reference library.
Kolding Town Hall
The Neo-Romanesque Town Hall (1973-5) stands in the marketplace; in the stairwell can be seen a mural by Otto Bache, "Attack by the Hussars on the German trenches 23.4.1849". Opposite the Town Hall lies Borchs Gård, a beautiful timbered house (1595), formerly a pharmacy, with carved beams.
Geographical Garden
Worth a visit is the Geographical Garden (Geografisk Have og Rosehave) on the southern edge of Kolding, which adjoins a rose garden. This garden was laid out by Axel Olsen, owner of a tree nursery, and now has some 2,000 species of trees and shrubs from all over the world, including North and South America, China and Burma. The garden is designed on geographical lines, and includes a herb garden and the longest bamboo grove in northern Europe.
Trapholt Museum
For some years now Kolding has had a new attraction - Trapholt Art Museum, situated to the north of the town at Æblehaven 23, near Kolding Fjord. An interesting modern building situated in a park, it is home to a large collection of contemporary Danish paintings and applied art, including ceramics. textiles and design. The picture department is divided into two sections, namely, landscape paintings and abstract art, and includes works by Richard Mortensen and Egill Jacobsen.
Surroundings
Skamlingsbanken
"Skamlingsbanken", to the south of Kolding, is 113m/370ft high, making it the highest point in the south of Jutland and offering a fine view. About 1850 the Danish Language and Culture Society used to meet here.
Vejen
To the west of Kolding lies the town of Vejen, visited mainly for its Art Gallery, which houses sculptures by Niels Hansen-Jacobsen (1861-1941) and drawings by Jens Lund. In front of the museum stands the sculpture "Trold, der vejrer Kristenkød" (Troll, who scents human flesh), by Hansen-Jacobsen; in the municipal park is the bronze sculpture "Militarismen".
Askov People's College
Near Vejen south of Kolding is situated the Askov People's College, the model for other such institutions in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. After the first Danish adult college in Rodding had closed down as a result of the German-Danish War, instruction continued in Askov until 1865. At first an old farmhouse was used, then new buildings were erected earlier this century.
