Hindsgavl

Facts

Lookout post for the Little Belt

By Vivian Etting, Museumsinspektør og seniorforsker på Nationalmuseet (28 stories)

A large royal castle complex once stood at Hindsgavl near the Little Belt. The large castle embankment measuring about 75 m x 75 m is all that remains of the old castle today. The castle was a lookout tower for keeping watch over the narrow stretch of water between Funen and Jutland and was a popular meeting place in war and peacetime. Hindsgavl was probably built in the early 13th century and was used right up until about 1700. During the 1940s, the remains of a large tower were found that guarded the entrance to the castle. Archaeologists also found a medieval house, more buildings from the renaissance era and parts of a bridge structure here.

Public place

Selected entry

Peace meeting at the castle

Story written by Vivian Etting

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Hindsgavl was first mentioned in 1295 when Danish King Erik Menved and the Norwegian King Erik Priest Hater signed an armistice. The Norwegian King had supported the outlawed Marshal Stig, who was suspected of murdering King Erik Menved's father, King Erik Klipping. The issue was laid to rest at Hindsgavl. From the first part of the 14th century, the castle was endowed and mortgaged to the counts of Holstein. Hindsgavl's strategic location made it a prime target during the many wars involving Denmark and it was often under siege. In 1658, Hindsgavl was conquered and plundered by the Swedes, and never regained its status.