St Helena's Spring and Grave

Facts

Helena's health-giving drops

By Inger Hartby, 2004: Ph.d. 1993: Cand.mag. 1988: Cand.phil. (7 stories)

Sankt Helene Kilde (St. Helena Spring") lies at the foot of the coastal cliffs east of Tilsvildeleje and consists of two vessels framed in stone. Since the Middle Ages, the sick have made pilgrimages to the spring to drink its curative waters. Inland, south of Tilsvildeleje Station, is Helene Grav, where the sick stopped for the night and drank the spring water. The spring gained popularity in the 1600s, and until the 1900s, a market was held here. Famous visitors included King Christian IV, who became a protector of the spring and was supplied with its water for his personal use. "

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The legend of Saint Helena

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Story written by Inger Hartby

Time / Periode 1400 1900

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In Sweden, a holywoman lived alone in the woods. One day she was attacked, killed and cast into the sea. Her body floated on a stone across the water to Zealand where it washed ashore beneath a cliff. When she was found, nobody could carry her body up the steep cliff-side. But the cliff collapsed, so the people could climb up to the field. Where her body was first laid down, a spring appeared. The body was to be taken to Tisvilde Cemetery. But when those who bore the stretcher started cursing and swearing, the stretcher became so heavy that they could no longer carry it, and it sank deep into the ground. This place is called Helene Grav (Helena's Grave) and a chapel was built there in the 1400s.