Top Historic Sights in Aabenraa, Denmark
Explore the historic highlights of Aabenraa
St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas church was built probably between 1250-1300. It was dedicated to St. Nicholas about 1360. In the Middle Ages it was likely surrounded by a rampart outside of the town ramparts. The extremely ornamental altarpiece dates from 1642 and restored in 1989. The early Renaissance pulpit dates from 1565.Brundlund Castle
Brundlund Castle was build 1411 by Queen Margareth I. It was used as the residence of the county prefect for several hundred years and it helped strengthening the position of the crown in Southern Jutland. The castle has been rebuilt a number of times, most recently in 1805-1807 and has fully restored in 1985. In 1998 it opened as an art museum cointaining Danish art from the 18th century to the present. Brundlund Castle ...Felsted Church
Felsted Church was originally built in the 13th century and the rare wooden bell-tower is dated 1769. The altarpiece is Gothic triptych from 1430. The pulpit dates from 1808.Kliplev Church
Kliplev Church was church was built in the 15th century and early 16th century to the site of older Romanesque church. The rebuilding took place because the church was a pilgrimage church and the old building got too small. It was torn down and a new one has been built around 1450, now in the Gothic style. The bell tower, from approximately 1300, is on of the oldest bell towers in Denmark.Varnæs Church
Varnæs Church dates from c. 1150, the baptismal font is original. The Baldachin reredos of oak is from around 1475. The renaissance style pulpit with wooden carving dates from 1606, and the crucifix circa 1250. St. Jørgens chapel on the south side was added in the 14th century, here were held services for lepers. The organ was made by Marcussen & Son, 1892. In cemetery stands a war memorial for the fallen during Wor ...Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
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Gruyères Castle
The Castle of Gruyères is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It was built between 1270 and 1282, following the typical square plan of the fortifications in Savoy. It was the property of the Counts of Gruyères until the bankruptcy of the Count Michel in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom. From 1555 to 1798 the castle became residence to the bailiffs and then to the prefects sent by Fribourg.
In 1849 the castle was sold to the Bovy and Balland families, who used the castle as their summer residency and restored it. The castle was then bought back by the canton of Fribourg in 1938, made into a museum and opened to the public. Since 1993, a foundation ensures the conservation as well as the highlighting of the building and the art collection.
The castle is the home of three capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece. They were part of the war booty captured by the Swiss Confederates (which included troops from Gruyères) at the Battle of Morat against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1476. As Charles the Bold was celebrating the anniversary of his father's death, one of the capes is a black velvet sacerdotal vestment with Philip the Good's emblem sewn into it.
A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.