Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark once stretched across the Baltic Sea at its height. Copenhagen served as a center of Renaissance art, exporting great monuments to all corners of the Danish realm. Today, the Nation of Denmark only covers a portion of its former cultural sphere. With this historical definition of Denmark, I hope to guide you to interesting destinations relevant to Danish history.

Select a Region to Explore in Detail

Odense Street

Fyn

During the course of history Fyn, or Funen, has never been independent or seen any distinction from the rest of Denmark. Its coasts were easily raided and the islands lacked natural resources. Today, the island is home to the city of Odense and a scattered collection of ancient rural villages, seemingly untouched by modernity.
Aarhus Market

Jylland

Contrary to expectations, Denmark started on the Mainland, also known as Jutland. The first capital was in Jelling, a town in the south of Jutland. This region is known for its Viking and Medieval heritage before the centers of wealth and power moved to Sjaelland. This wealth would come back though, in the 19th century. This is a region full of lively towns and timeless villages.
Sjælland

Sjælland

Denmark may have been born on the beaches of Jutland, but its heart lies on the island of Sjaelland. Centered around the country’s only major city, Copenhagen, the heritage of Sjaelland is all about the rise and fall of the Danish Empire. From the ruins of the ancient city of Roskilde to the towering monuments of Christian IV in Fredriksborg and Helsingor, one would need a lifetime to see everything.
Ystad Street

Skåne

Skåne or Scania is the southern tip of Sweden, but it spent most of its history as part of Denmark. The region today is still known for its stubborn separatism. The region is mostly fertile plains extending up the rocky forests of the Swedish interior. The struggle for Scania has left the region covered in castles and fortresses, especially along the coast.
wood stairs bench jetty

Slesvig

Slesvig is a borderland between the German and Danish-speaking world. Though prior to 1864 it was much closer to the Danish-speaking world, and only afterward it became much more German. Despite spending a brief time as part of Germany, the region was once a cultural and economic center of medieval Denmark.

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Historical Regions

Explore Europe from the perspective of ages past