Hike through the old part of Skanderborg
Take a pleasant walk through old Skanderborg, surrounded by history and beautiful surroundings.
Historic route through old Skanderborg
The walk can start at the square in front of the police station, which used to be the town hall from 1860. At the square stands the “Bystenen,” a memorial stone for King Frederik II, who granted Skanderborg its market town privileges in 1583.
Look south where Adelgade bends, and you will see a beautiful neoclassical building constructed in 1804.
From the square, the route takes you left up Rådhusstræde. The street was formerly called Skolegade because it runs alongside the old municipal school, now part of Skanderborg Municipality.
Turn right onto Borgergade with its many old houses and farms and enjoy the view of the large merchant estates on the left and the small townhouses on the right. Notice No. 15, a half-timbered house from 1738, and No. 22, the street’s smallest house from around 1750. No. 24 was the town school until 1819 and then a poorhouse for women.
Several buildings on the street were built from stones taken from Skanderborg Castle, which was demolished after 1767.
Continue along Louisenlund and see the stately homes that housed the town’s former officials. On the left, where there is now a parking lot and housing, stood the so-called eastern cavalry barracks, built by Frederik IV in the 1720s but long since torn down.
At Adelgade, veer slightly right and you can now look over to the parsonage from 1740. Walk south past the town’s former bailiff’s house and judge’s house. Continuing south, cross the Dagmar Bridge, where you can scan the QR code to hear the bridge’s history.
You are now on Slotsholmen, originally an island where first the medieval castle and later Skanderborg Castle stood. The castle was built in the mid-1500s using stones from the demolished Øm Abbey and was torn down again after 1767. Today, only the castle church remains, but both it and the churchyard are definitely worth a visit.
Remember to enjoy the view
Take a short walk up to Slotsbanken and enjoy the view over the lakes, which are now lively used for tourism and recreational boating, fishing, and swimming. It is said that here King Frederik II’s son – the young Crown Prince Christian (later King Christian IV) – gained his first experience as a ship’s captain.
From Slotsholmen, cross the road towards Dyrehaven and Hotel Skanderborghus and down to the Golden Wedding Park with the beautiful sculpture Våren, which dates from the 1937 national exhibition.
You can now stroll back to town or extend your walk along the paths in Dyrehaven or continue along the country road out to Sølund, an institution for people with mental disabilities. Sølund is also known and appreciated for its annual music festival.
Follow the map and possibly take a walk on the “Sumpstien,” a piece of fairytale-like nature, before returning to the square.