Nykøbing Castle

Facts

The queen dowager's home

By Anna-Elisabeth Jensen, Souschef, arkæolog (6 stories)

The Slotsgade quarter of Nykøbing Falster runs alongside Guldborgsund. Here at Tingsted River around Slotsbryggen are the remains of the medieval fortification tower that was part of the most recent Nykøbing Castle. The medieval fortress was converted into a renaissance castle for King Frederik II's queen Sophie. She lived as a queen dowager at the castle from 1594 until her death in 1631 and enjoyed all the airs and graces of European royalty. The castle was sold at auction in 1767 and all the buildings were demolished except Rosenvænget 12, which was built as a coachman's stable in 1640.

Partly a public place

Selected entry

Queen Dowager Sophie

Story written by Anna-Elisabeth Jensen

Time / Periode 1594 1767

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Queen Dowager Sophie (1557-1631) was the daughter of Duke Ulrik of Schwerin-Mecklenburg and Princess Elisabeth of Denmark. She was married to King Frederik II, and as Queen proved to have a strong flair for business. After King Frederik's death in 1588, Queen Dowager Sophie took such a lively interest in the governmental affairs of her son, young King Christian IV, that the regency forced her to take up permanent residence at Nykøbing Castle when it was finished in 1594. The Queen Dowager managed her estate on Falster so well that she amassed a considerable fortune from cattle exports and money lending. She developed farming and forestry on Falster, and also built dairies and fish farms for carps - the delicacy of the time.