Wondermondo 🢖 World 🢖 Wonders of Europe 🢖 Wonders of Denmark
Territory
Wonders of Denmark
Highlights
Denmark is a truly noble European country with a rich heritage. While its nature offers a few spectacular sights (such as Møns Klint), the country has some very interesting archaeological monuments and a huge wealth of exquisite architectural monuments. It seems that with every century Danes got better and better at architectural design.
Most amazing wonders of Denmark are:
- Medieval churches. Many medieval Danish churches have a distinct style, creating some part of the Danish identity. They have a rather austere design from the outside – but beautiful medieval frescoes adorn the light-colored interiors. Some churches though are very special – such as the Roskilde Cathedral with royal tombs or the unique Church of Our Lady in Kalundborg with five towers.
- Renaissance palaces and country houses. Although Denmark is a small country, it has many beautiful and impressive palaces and castles. Kronborg Castle (“Hamlet castle”) is renowned in the world, but no less impressive are Egeskov Castle, Frederiksborg Palace, and many other palaces.
- Viking heritage. Denmark has preserved the heritage of Viking times – the times when the state of Denmark was born. Some of the most interesting are Jelling royal burials with Jelling stones and a group of ring fortresses – Trelleborg and others.
- Bridges. Denmark is one of the world pioneers in the design of enormous bridges and in the country are located two giant bridges – Øresund Bridge and Great Belt Bridge.
Denmark includes Bornholm – comparatively distant island that is reviewed here separately.
Map with the described wonders
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Top 25 wonders of Denmark
Archaeological wonders of Denmark
Trelleborg ring castle, Slagelse
Sjælland (Zealand)
The best known Viking ring castle – an exact circle with two streets crossing it at right angles. This construction could house up to 1,300 people and was surrounded by a 5 m high rampart with a diameter of 137 m. Ring castle contained 16 longhouses. Built roughly in 981 AD.
Architecture wonders of Denmark
Kronborg Castle
Hovedstaden (Capital)
Magnificent and famous Renaissance castle with star fort around it. This castle plays important role in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Initially built in the 1420ies, rebuilt in its current form in 1574 – 1585. A place of interesting history and legends.
Rosenborg Castle
Hovedstaden (Capital)
Tall Renaissance castle in the center of Copenhagen, built in 1606 – 1624. Royal residence, contains many art values.
Egeskov Castle
Syddanmark (Southern)
The best preserved Renaissance water castle in Europe – a large and beautiful brick building. The current building was constructed in 1554. Around the castle are set gardens with Renaissance parts, a fuchsia garden, and old hedge mazes.
Tivoli Gardens
Hovedstaden (Capital)
The second oldest amusement park in the world and one of the best known. This amusement park opened to the public in 1843 and has brought many innovations to the amusement parks, it provided inspiration also to Disneyland.
Christiansfeld
Syddanmark (Southern)
Strictly planned town, founded by Moravian brothers in 1772 and built mostly in 1773 – 1880 in a grid pattern.
Rosenholm Castle
Midtjylland (Central)
The oldest family-owned castle in Denmark, built in Renaissance style in 1550 – 1630. Family of the owner – Rosenkrantz – inspired Shakespeare for the play Hamlet. Castle is fully furnished with historical furniture, paintings, and tapestries.
Roskilde Cathedral
Sjælland (Zealand)
The main cathedral in Denmark, the first example of the Brick Gothic style in Northern Europe. Construction of the current church was started around 1170. Since the 15th century, there have been buried Danish monarchs. Many chapels with burials represent high achievements of art.
Frederiksborg Palace
Nordjylland (North)
The former royal residence, built for King Christian IV in 1602 – 1620, with some earlier parts. Palace is an impressive, tall building, the largest structure in the Renaissance style in Scandinavia.
Frederick’s Church (The Marble Church)
Hovedstaden (Capital)
Church with an enormous dome, built in 1749 – 1894. Only three buildings in Europe have larger domes than this beautiful structure.
Ærøskøbing
Syddanmark (Southern)
Very well preserved historical town, one of the best examples in the conservation of living historical towns.
Østerlars Church
Bornholm
Largest of the four round churches in Bornholm. Constructed in Romanesque style around 1160, served also as a fortification. The enormous central column is adorned with medieval frescoes. Round churches of Bornholm are subject to modern legends about Templars and Holy Grail.
Tuse Church
Sjælland (Zealand)
Medieval church, built around 1200 AD. Richly adorned with frescoes, painted by Isefjord artists sometimes in 1460 – 1480.
Hammershus
Bornholm
Ruins of the largest medieval fortress in Northern Europe with a 750 m long perimeter wall. This fortress was constructed in the 13th century, most likely as a royal residence for Valdemar II of Denmark.
Sulsted Church
Nordjylland (North)
Interesting medieval church, built roughly in 1150 – 1200. It contains well preserved frescoes that were created in 1548.
Church of Our Lady in Kalundborg
Sjælland (Zealand)
Very unusual medieval church with five tall towers. Constructed in Romanesque style in the early 13th century.
St. Bodil’s Church
Bornholm
An interesting medieval church in the Romanesque style, built around 1200.
St. Bendt’s Church
Sjælland (Zealand)
The oldest brick church in Scandinavia, built in Romanesque style around 1170 AD. The structure has an excellent architectural style and is adorned with medieval frescoes.
Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)
Hovedstaden (Capital)
A large church in Baroque style with a spiral tower that can be ascended. Constructed in 1682 – 1752, 90 m high.
Great Belt Bridge
Sjælland (Zealand)
A giant suspension bridge, 6,790 m long, up to 254 m high. Third longest span for a suspension bridge in the world – 1,624 m long. Constructed in 1998.
Fredensborg Palace
Sjælland (Zealand)
A large royal palace, frequently used by the Danish royal family. This large Baroque-Rococo structure was built in 1720 – 1753. Surrounded by the finest Baroque-styled gardens in Denmark.
Ribe Cathedral
Syddanmark (Southern)
Denmark’s best preserved Romanesque structure, built in the middle of the 12th century. The facade is adorned with some of the most impressive Romanesque carvings in granite.
Elmelunde Church
Sjælland (Zealand)
Romanesque-Gothic church, construction started in 1085. This church is adorned with some of the best Gothic frescoes in Northern Europe, most likely from the late 15th century.
Jørlunde Church
Sjælland (Zealand)
A very old church, built around 1085 AD. This church is richly adorned with frescoes from the middle of the 12th century.
Svaneke Church
Bornholm
Charming, red-colored half-timbered church. It is not known when the church was originally built, but the tower was built in 1789. Rebuilt in 1881.
Recommended books
Journey Through Denmark
Part of a world-renowned travel series, this acclaimed, award-winning guide features one of Europe’s most magical destinations, Denmark. Demonstrating the success of its high-end collection, this handbook is distinguished by outstanding photography and informative, engaging commentary, making it perfect for tourists and armchair travelers alike.
Rick Steves Snapshot Copenhagen & the Best of Denmark
Rick Steves covers the essentials of Copenhagen and the best of Denmark, including Roskilde, Frederiksborg Castle, Legoland, and Ærø Island. Visit Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens or appreciate the classical architecture of the Cathedral of Our Lady and Copenhagen University. You’ll get Rick’s firsthand advice on the best sights, eating, sleeping, and nightlife, and the maps and self-guided tours will ensure you make the most of your experience.