Nykøbing Falster
Encyclopedia
Nykøbing Falster is a southern Danish
city
, seat of the Guldborgsund
kommune
. It belongs to Region Sjælland
. The city lies on Falster
, connected by the 295-meter-long Frederick IX Bridge
over the Guldborgsund
(Guldborg Strait) waterway to the island of Lolland
. The town has a population of 16,464 (1 January 2011). Including the satellite town
Sundby
on the Lolland side, with a popualation of 2,872, the total population is 19,336.
There is a 0.5 kilometer long commercial district, walking street (gågade) on the Falster side of the city with a wide selection of shops. At the end of the street is a large plaza where special events are arranged. These include popular late-night events, which are held several times a year.
The city has a large central library in the center of town.
The town receives many visitors during the summer, especially from Sydfalster
.
castle. At the end of the 12th century, fortifications were set up on a peninsula on Guldborg Sound for protection against the Wends
, and these were later converted into Nykøbing Castle. The town of Nykøbing Falster grew up around these fortifications. After the Reformation
, the castle was the residence of widowed Danish queens. As several queens of German descent resided here, many Germans came to the town.
Situated on a headland
, the castle was protected from all sides. In its early days, the castle belonged to the royal house
. Medieval documents issued in this region reveal that the royal court
regularly visited the castle. This is the castle where Christopher II died (1332) and where Christian V was married (1667). Christian, Prince Elect of Denmark
resided here. The castle was chartered in 1539. REF
The castle and the entire crown land on Falster
were put up for sale in 1763 to help improve the poor state of government finances. The castle was sold for demolition, and only the modest ruin of one of the towers, Fars Hat (Father’s Hat in Danish) is in existence today.
of Storstrøm
.
On 1 January 2007, the former Nykøbing Falster municipality merged with Nysted
, Nørre Alslev
, Sakskøbing
, Stubbekøbing
, and Sydfalster
municipalities to form Guldborgsund municipality
. This Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007) created a municipality with an area of 907 km² and a total population of 63,533 (2005) and will belong to the new Region Sjælland
("Zealand Region"). The former Nykøbing Falster municipality covered an area of 134 km² with a total population of 25,483 (2005).
, who stayed there in 1716.
Among the other interesting monuments in Nykøbing Falster, there is a 15th century castle
with a medieval siege-train. City inhabitants often walk in a people's park with an adjacent zoological garden.
Other attractions include:
via Ringsted
. International trains operating between Copenhagen and Hamburg
(via the train ferry
between Rødby
and Puttgarden
) also call at the station. The Lollandsbanen
also operates a rail service to Nakskov
.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
, seat of the Guldborgsund
Guldborgsund municipality
Guldborgsund is a municipality in Region Sjælland in Denmark, spanning the Guldborgsund strait. It covers an area of 907 km² and a total population of 63,496 . Its administrative seat is in the town of Nykøbing Falster...
kommune
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
. It belongs to Region Sjælland
Region Sjælland
Region Zealand is an administrative region of Denmark established on January 1, 2007 as part of the 2007 Danish Municipal Reform, which replaced the traditional counties with five larger regions. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, cutting the number of...
. The city lies on Falster
Falster
Falster is an island in south-eastern Denmark with an area of 514 km² and 43,398 inhabitants as of 1 January 2010. Located in the Baltic sea, it is part of Region Sjælland and is administered by Guldborgsund Municipality...
, connected by the 295-meter-long Frederick IX Bridge
Frederick IX Bridge
250px|right|thumb|Frederick IX BridgeThe Frederick IX bridge spans the Guldborgsund strait between the islands of Falster and Lolland in Denmark. It joins the larger part of Nykøbing Falster with the smaller part of the town on Lolland...
over the Guldborgsund
Guldborgsund
Guldborgsund is the strait between the Danish islands of Lolland and Falster that connects Smålandsfarvandet in the north with Bay of Mecklenburg in the south. It is navigable for craft of up to 6 metres draught in its northern part and is used for commercial traffic to Nykøbing Falster...
(Guldborg Strait) waterway to the island of Lolland
Lolland
Lolland is the fourth largest island of Denmark, with an area of 1,243 square kilometers . Located in the Baltic sea, it is part of Region Sjælland...
. The town has a population of 16,464 (1 January 2011). Including the satellite town
Satellite town
A satellite town or satellite city is a concept in urban planning that refers essentially to smaller metropolitan areas which are located somewhat near to, but are mostly independent of, larger metropolitan areas.-Characteristics:...
Sundby
Sundby (Lolland)
Sundby is a town with a population of 2,872 on the east coast of the Danish island of Lolland located at the western shore of Guldborgsund just opposite the town of Nykøbing Falster on Falster...
on the Lolland side, with a popualation of 2,872, the total population is 19,336.
Overview
Nykøbing Falster is the largest city on the islands of Lolland and Falster, and is often called "Nykøbing F." to distinguish it from at least two other cities in Denmark with the name of Nykøbing. Nykøbing Falster is the seat of state and regional authorities.There is a 0.5 kilometer long commercial district, walking street (gågade) on the Falster side of the city with a wide selection of shops. At the end of the street is a large plaza where special events are arranged. These include popular late-night events, which are held several times a year.
The city has a large central library in the center of town.
The town receives many visitors during the summer, especially from Sydfalster
Sydfalster
Until January 1, 2007 Sydfalster was a municipality in the former Storstrøm County on the southern end of the island of Falster in south Denmark.-Overview:...
.
Older history
Nykøbing Falster was founded around a 12th-century medievalMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
castle. At the end of the 12th century, fortifications were set up on a peninsula on Guldborg Sound for protection against the Wends
Wends
Wends is a historic name for West Slavs living near Germanic settlement areas. It does not refer to a homogeneous people, but to various peoples, tribes or groups depending on where and when it is used...
, and these were later converted into Nykøbing Castle. The town of Nykøbing Falster grew up around these fortifications. After the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, the castle was the residence of widowed Danish queens. As several queens of German descent resided here, many Germans came to the town.
Situated on a headland
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
, the castle was protected from all sides. In its early days, the castle belonged to the royal house
Royal House
A royal house or royal dynasty consists of at least one, but usually more monarchs who are related to one another, as well as their non-reigning descendants and spouses. Monarchs of the same realm who are not related to one another are usually deemed to belong to different houses, and each house is...
. Medieval documents issued in this region reveal that the royal court
Noble court
The court of a monarch, or at some periods an important nobleman, is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure...
regularly visited the castle. This is the castle where Christopher II died (1332) and where Christian V was married (1667). Christian, Prince Elect of Denmark
Christian, Prince Elect of Denmark
Christian was the Prince Elect of Denmark between 1610 and his death.-Early life:He was born in Copenhagen Castle as a son of King Christian IV of Denmark and Queen-Consort Anne Catherine . He was the couple's oldest living son, an older brother Frederick having died in 1599, less than a year old...
resided here. The castle was chartered in 1539. REF
The castle and the entire crown land on Falster
Falster
Falster is an island in south-eastern Denmark with an area of 514 km² and 43,398 inhabitants as of 1 January 2010. Located in the Baltic sea, it is part of Region Sjælland and is administered by Guldborgsund Municipality...
were put up for sale in 1763 to help improve the poor state of government finances. The castle was sold for demolition, and only the modest ruin of one of the towers, Fars Hat (Father’s Hat in Danish) is in existence today.
Recent history
From 1970 to 2006, Nykøbing was the administrative seat of the former countyCounties of Denmark
Denmark was until December 31, 2006 divided into 15 counties , and 270 municipalities . On January 1, 2007, the counties were replaced by five Regions and the number of municipalities slashed to 98....
of Storstrøm
Storstrøm County
Storstrøms Amt is a former county on the islands of Zealand , Møn, Falster, Lolland and some minor islands in southeast Denmark. The county was formed on 1 April 1970, comprising the former counties of Maribo and Præstø. The county was abolished effective January 1, 2007, when it merged into...
.
On 1 January 2007, the former Nykøbing Falster municipality merged with Nysted
Nysted
Nysted is a town in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the southeastern coast of the island of Lolland in south Denmark.-The town of Nysted:...
, Nørre Alslev
Nørre Alslev
Nørre Alslev is a town with a population of 2,407 on the northern end of the island of Falster in south Denmark. It belongs to Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland....
, Sakskøbing
Sakskøbing
thumb|The water tower in SakskøbingSakskøbing is a town with a population of 4,701 and a former municipality in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the northeast coast of the island of Lolland in south Denmark...
, Stubbekøbing
Stubbekøbing
Stubbekøbing is a town with a population of 2,298 in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the northeastern coast of the island of Falster in south Denmark...
, and Sydfalster
Sydfalster
Until January 1, 2007 Sydfalster was a municipality in the former Storstrøm County on the southern end of the island of Falster in south Denmark.-Overview:...
municipalities to form Guldborgsund municipality
Guldborgsund municipality
Guldborgsund is a municipality in Region Sjælland in Denmark, spanning the Guldborgsund strait. It covers an area of 907 km² and a total population of 63,496 . Its administrative seat is in the town of Nykøbing Falster...
. This Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007) created a municipality with an area of 907 km² and a total population of 63,533 (2005) and will belong to the new Region Sjælland
Region Sjælland
Region Zealand is an administrative region of Denmark established on January 1, 2007 as part of the 2007 Danish Municipal Reform, which replaced the traditional counties with five larger regions. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, cutting the number of...
("Zealand Region"). The former Nykøbing Falster municipality covered an area of 134 km² with a total population of 25,483 (2005).
Main sights
The city has a few noteworthy buildings, including a wooden house from 1580 and The Czar's House (Czarens Hus), which was built in 1700 and is probably the most famous monument in Nykøbing Falster. The latter building was named Czarens Hus in memory of Peter the GreatPeter I of Russia
Peter the Great, Peter I or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov Dates indicated by the letters "O.S." are Old Style. All other dates in this article are New Style. ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire from until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his half-brother, Ivan V...
, who stayed there in 1716.
Among the other interesting monuments in Nykøbing Falster, there is a 15th century castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
with a medieval siege-train. City inhabitants often walk in a people's park with an adjacent zoological garden.
Other attractions include:
- the City Museum (Bymuseet)
- the Middle Ages Center (MiddelaldercentretMiddelaldercentretThe Middelaldercentret is an experimental living history museum in Denmark situated in the town of Nykøbing Falster.-Overview:...
), located in SundbySundby (Lolland)Sundby is a town with a population of 2,872 on the east coast of the Danish island of Lolland located at the western shore of Guldborgsund just opposite the town of Nykøbing Falster on Falster... - the Old Shop (Den gamle butik).
Transportation
Nykøbing Falster has a railway station operated by Danish State Railways. It is the terminus for regular local passenger-train services from CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
via Ringsted
Ringsted
Ringsted, a city in Ringsted municipality, is in the middle of the Danish island of Zealand. The municipal population is about 31,000 and the city population is 21,151 .Ringsted is approximately 60 km from Copenhagen.-Modern hotspot:...
. International trains operating between Copenhagen and Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
(via the train ferry
Train ferry
A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles. Typically, one level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves. In the United States, train ferries are sometimes referred to as "car ferries", as...
between Rødby
Rødby
Rødby is a town and a former municipality on the island of Lolland in Denmark. The former Rødby municipality covered an area of 120 km², and had a total population of 6,590...
and Puttgarden
Puttgarden
Puttgarden is a ferry harbour and a village on the German island of Fehmarn. It lies on an important route between Germany and Denmark known as the Vogelfluglinie which crosses the 18 km strait, the Fehmarnbelt, to Rødby on the island of Lolland....
) also call at the station. The Lollandsbanen
Lollandsbanen
A/S Lollandsbanen is a Danish railway company operating the Nykøbing F–Nakskov line mostly on the island of Lolland. Established in 1954, it is based on the remains of Det Lolland-Falsterske Jernbane-Selskab...
also operates a rail service to Nakskov
Nakskov
Nakskov is a town in south Denmark. It is in Lolland municipality in Region Sjælland on the western coast of the island of Lolland. The town has a population of 13,560 . To the west is Nakskov Fjord, an inlet from the Langeland Belt that runs between the islands of Lolland and Langeland...
.
See also
- GuldborgsundGuldborgsund municipalityGuldborgsund is a municipality in Region Sjælland in Denmark, spanning the Guldborgsund strait. It covers an area of 907 km² and a total population of 63,496 . Its administrative seat is in the town of Nykøbing Falster...
- GedserGedserGedser is a town at the southern tip of the Danish island of Falster in the Guldborgsund Municipality in Sjælland region. It is the southernmost town in Denmark. The town has a population of 809...
- Guldborg
- Marielyst
- Nagelsti
- Nørre AlslevNørre AlslevNørre Alslev is a town with a population of 2,407 on the northern end of the island of Falster in south Denmark. It belongs to Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland....
- NystedNystedNysted is a town in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the southeastern coast of the island of Lolland in south Denmark.-The town of Nysted:...
- Øster Toreby
- SakskøbingSakskøbingthumb|The water tower in SakskøbingSakskøbing is a town with a population of 4,701 and a former municipality in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the northeast coast of the island of Lolland in south Denmark...
- StubbekøbingStubbekøbingStubbekøbing is a town with a population of 2,298 in Guldborgsund municipality in Region Sjælland on the northeastern coast of the island of Falster in south Denmark...
- SundbySundby (Lolland)Sundby is a town with a population of 2,872 on the east coast of the Danish island of Lolland located at the western shore of Guldborgsund just opposite the town of Nykøbing Falster on Falster...
- Toreby