THE CASTLE RUINS
The stories of Vordingborg’s royal power begin even before you step through the doors of the Danish Castle Centre.
THE CASTLE RUINS
The stories of Vordingborg’s royal power begin even before you step through the doors of the Danish Castle Centre. Just outside, the historic castle ruins await, ready to take you on a unique journey through Denmark’s past.
From the majestic Goose Tower to the ruins of St Andrew’s Church and the impressive ring wall, the site stands as a striking reminder of former grandeur and power.
The castle ruins are the perfect place for a walk, to explore history, or to enjoy a picnic before, during or after your visit.
With our audio guide, the stories come to life as you walk – delivered straight to your ears.
THE GOOSE TOWER
The story begins with a glance towards the sky, where the iconic Goose Tower stands tall. Named after the golden goose placed at its summit by Valdemar Atterdag after his victory over the German Hanseatic cities, the tower carries more than 650 years of history.
Though the original goose has disappeared into the mists of time, the tower’s grandeur remains – restored and now an integral part of the Danish Castle Centre experience.
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
At the foot of the Goose Tower, you can explore the site of St Andrew’s Church.
Once part of the castle, this church held numerous medieval graves. People from the local area were buried here – both inside the church and in the surrounding churchyard. Burial location reflected status: the more important or wealthy the individual, the closer they were laid to rest near the church’s holiest space.
Today, the remains lie beneath the ground, but the church’s structure has been recreated above ground, allowing you to walk through its historic footprint.
THE RING WALL
At the far end of the castle grounds, you can get close to the old ring wall – one of the first parts of the castle to be uncovered during the archaeological excavations in the 1880s.
The walls have since been restored to withstand wind and weather. From here, you can stand among the ruins and take in the beautiful view across the water towards the Oringe peninsula.
HISTORIC BOTANICAL GARDEN
Travel back to 1921, when – in the aftermath of the First World War – landscape architect G.N. Brandt created a historic botanical garden in the heart of Vordingborg.
Inspired by Renaissance gardens and the first of its kind, it has since become a living archive of traditional plants used for culture, beauty and healing.
Here, you can explore medieval plants day and night – from the deadly to the healing, the hallucinogenic and more.
In summer, the garden truly comes alive, as a rich tapestry of colours and scents surrounds you on your journey through it.