Vordingborg Castle

P3w1

Goose Tower of the castle ruins Vordingborg

The Castle is a ruined castle in Vordingborg Vordingborg on Zealand in Denmark. There are the remains of the largest medieval castle in Denmark.

The castle was built in 1175 by King Valdemar I as a defense castle and as a starting point from which to launch attacks against the German coast. His half-brother built another castle in Copenhagen today. Valdemar II used the system for an extension to the Baltic, and in 1241 he reformed the legal system here, the right of Jutland. Currently King Waldemar IV, the castle had nine towers and a 800 meter long wall. It was in 1353 the birthplace of Queen Margaret I of Denmark, daughter of Valdemar IV Here signed with the peace of Vordingborg ( 1365 ) and Peace of Vordingborg ( 1435 ) important peace treaties between Denmark and the Hanseatic League.

Large parts of the castle were demolished after the Swedish wars to prevent the construction of a palace for Prince Jørgen, son of Frederick III. to enable. The prince, however, never referred to his residence, and the palace was destroyed in the 18th century. Three mansions in the area, including Iselingen were a gathering place for many artists and scientists during the 19th century.

Today Vordingborg castle is a ruin, although parts of the curtain wall are preserved from the 14th century. The only fully preserved part of the 26 meter high tower geese (Danish: Gåsetårnet ), is the symbol of the city. Its name comes from the golden goose that sits on top of the spire. Although legend has it that Valdemar IV have used the symbol to mock the Hanseatic League, the goose was attached until 1871. The tower was added on December 24, 1808 as the first historical monument in Denmark under monument protection.

On the castle grounds is now a museum, the Danish castle center, home. A larger museum with information about all the historic castles of Denmark is planned. Currently, excavations in the ruins be made to give over the archaeologists of the museum for guided tours information.