Top Historic Sights in Sønderborg, Denmark
Explore the historic highlights of Sønderborg
Sønderborg Castle
Sønderborg Castle history began probably as a fortified tower constructed by Valdemar the Great in 1158. The castle was built to provide protection against attacks by the Wends and was part of a larger system of fortifications. Over the centuries, the castle has gradually been enlarged and rebuilt. In the years following construction of Valdemar's fortified tower, an important struggle developed between the Danish king a ...
Founded: 1350 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
St. Mary's Church
The St. Mary"s Church in Sønderborg is located on a hill and is a very iconic for the city. In the Middle Ages there was a leper colony on a hill just outside the city. It was named after Saint George and around 1300 the chapel of this leper colony stood in the place of the present St. Mary"s Church. After the old parish church of the city, the St. Nicholas Church, was demolished around 1530, the Saint-George c ...
Founded: 1595-1600 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Ulkebøl Church
Ulkebøl Church was built in the 13th century. It was enlarged in the 16th century and again in 1787. It contains a beautiful triptych altarpiece from the 1500s.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Sandbjerg Manor
The history of the Sandbjerg Estate goes back to the beginning of the 16th century. In 1564 the estate became the property of Duke Hans the Younger (1545-1622), when his brother Frederik II transferred ownership of a third of the royal duchies to him - an area which included Ærø, Als, and Sundeved in the Duchy of Schleswig. The Duke left his mark on the landscape, commissioning the building of a dam -which e ...
Founded: 1783 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Lysabild Church
Lysabild Church was built around 1100 is one of the oldest in the region. The frescoes and baptismal font made of Gotland limestone are notable. The altarpiece is from the 1780s, chancel arch crucifix from 1450s. There are historic war monuments of 1864-1920 in the churchyard.
Founded: c. 1100 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Kegnæs Church
Kegnæs Church was built in 1615 by John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. It was built in the style of many local Romanesque style churches. The altarpiece dates from about 1450 and was formerly (like the font and pulpit) situated in the now vanished St. Nicolaj Church in Soenderborg. The figure of Christ is from about 1500 on railing between nave and chancel. Two side figures, the Virgin Mary and the apostle Jo ...
Founded: 1615 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Hørup Church
Hørup Church is a Romanesque whitewashed granite block church with Gothic additions. It has an separate belfry. The pulpit dates from 1576 and 12 apostle figures in the altarpiece from 1425.
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Ullerup Church
Ullerup church was built around 1200 in Romanesque style and has mainly survived. The tower was added in 1902. The Baroque style altarpiece was made 1707 by Anthon Günther Fres from Elsass (Alsace). The Renaissance style pulpit is made of oak in 1578. The baptismal font, made of Gotland limestone, dates from c. 1400.
Founded: c. 1200 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Adsbøl Church
Adsbøl Church dates from the 13th century and consists of Romanesque choir and nave with Gothic features. It was damaged during the war or 1658-1659 with Sweden, but was restored. In the late 18th century it was remodelled again. In the cemetery is a memorial of World War I victims.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Tandslet Church
Tandslet Church was built around 1200. The wooden bell tower was built also in the Middle Ages and it is situated in the Bronze Age burial mound. Frescoes dates from the late Middle Ages and pulpit from 1576. Altarpiece was made by Aabenraa artist Jes Jessen, from 1798. Organs were built 1863 by Marcussen & Son, Aabenraa.
Founded: c. 1200 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Nybøl Church
Nybøl Church dates from c. 1150 and is typical Romanesque stone church. It was expanded later in the Middle Ages and again in 1582. The font is original from the Romanesque age. The pulpit dates from 1608.
Founded: c. 1150 |
Location:
Sønderborg, Denmark
Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
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Historic Site of the week
Medieval Walls of Avila
The city walls of Avila were built in the 11th century to protect the citizens from the Moors. They have been well maintained throughout the centuries and are now a major tourist attraction as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk around about half of the length of the walls.
The layout of the city is an even quadrilateral with a perimeter of 2,516 m. Its walls, which consist in part of stones already used in earlier constructions, have an average thickness of 3 m. Access to the city is afforded by nine gates of different periods; twin 20 m high towers, linked by a semi-circular arch, flank the oldest ones, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta del Alcázar.