Culture of Kolding. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Kolding's main historical symbol is the ancient castle Koldinghus, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Denmark. The very first defensive fortress was built on its site in the 13th century. Each new owner reconstructed and improved it with new extensions at his discretion. The fortress has preserved thick stone walls to this day. At a certain period, the castle had served as a royal residence. A lush garden was laid out around it on the orders of royals.

Today, the castle houses an interesting historical museum that keeps a large collection of 16th-century furniture and artworks belonging to various periods within its walls. Of great interest are silverware and antique ceramics, as well as the museum's unique collection of handicrafts. In the warmer months, the picturesque garden surrounding the castle becomes the venue for various historical festivals and reenactments. It is always decorated with special landscape compositions in summer.

The city invites travelers to the Trapholt Museum, which introduces them to works by famous Danish artists and craftsmen. Its exposition is based on beautiful handmade furniture made by local masters for wealthy aristocrats in the 17th and 18th centuries. All pieces of furniture presented in the museum were made by hand. The museum has also gathered an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures, and some of its halls are reserved for temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The Trapholt occupies a beautiful historic building, which in itself is a valuable architectural monument. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Several unique old churches have been preserved in the city. The most famous of them include Sankt Nicolai Kirke and Kirche St. Michael. These churches were built at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. Over hundreds of years, they have been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. There is almost nothing left of the original appearance of the churches. Nevertheless, they are valuable architectural monuments of the late Middle Ages.

Both churches are still active and considered vivid examples of the Gothic style. An interesting collection of religious artifacts and ancient artworks is kept within the walls of each of the temples. It is noteworthy that in the late medieval period Kolding often suffered from strong fires, but the churches have never been affected. Church services are regularly held in the functioning temples.

One of the most picturesque and interesting areas of the city is the old market square Torvegade. Once the city's main marketplace was located here. Today the old square is surrounded by buildings of various periods. Here is the beautiful old Town Hall building, the facade of which is almost completely covered by wild grape vines in the warm season. The main decoration of the building is an old fresco by Otto Bache, which depicts one of the battles in the city in the 19th century. There are also many beautiful half-timbered houses around the square, most of them were built in the 16th century. Borchs Gård built in 1595 is among the most prominent ones. At the end of the 16th century, the main city pharmacy was housed in this spectacular building.

One of the most unusual attractions of Kolding is the open-air museum Miniby. It is an exact reduced copy of the city of the second half of the 19th century. Walking around the museum, one can admire beautiful old buildings, see small replicas of its iconic historical sights. It would be interesting to visit this museum in summer, as many beautiful trees and ornamental plants grow on its territory.

There are also many interesting landmarks in the vicinity of Kolding. In just a few minutes drive you can reach Hindsgavl Castle dating back to the 12th century. Its first owner and founder was King Valdemar II, he was a big fan of hunting and decided to build a new residence among the game-rich forests. Over many centuries, the castle has managed to avoid serious destructions. A hotel is currently open on the castle grounds. These places attract not only fans of historical sights but also those who like walking through picturesque natural areas. Near the castle are beautiful forests and meadows, several fish-rich lakes and rivers. Interesting hiking trails are laid out in this picturesque natural location for active tourists. Everyone will have the opportunity to stay in the historic hotel and spend a few days in these unique places.