Background

Relic of the Castle Revshale (Refshaleborg)

Subtle earthworks on a tiny lake island where a once-mighty royal fortress fell in 1256, now softened by reeds, birdsong and the quiet waters of Maribo’s nature park.

5

Rising from the small island of Borgø in Maribo’s Søndersø lake, the Relic of the Castle Revshale is all that remains of one of medieval Denmark’s key royal strongholds. Today only low earthworks, masonry traces and a striking circular castle mound hint at the 12th–13th century fortress that once controlled trade and power on Lolland. Wrapped in reed-fringed shores and rich birdlife inside Maribo Lakes Nature Park, the site blends quiet lakeside scenery with an evocative sense of lost battles, royal ambition and forgotten stories.

A brief summary to Relic of the Castle Revshale

  • Borgø, Maribo, 4930, DK
  • Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy, closed shoes: the ground on the castle mound and around the earthworks can be uneven, grassy and slippery after rain.
  • Bring binoculars to combine your visit with birdwatching; Maribo Lakes Nature Park is known for diverse waterfowl and raptors.
  • Carry water and snacks, as there are no facilities on Borgø itself; treat the visit as a short nature excursion.
  • Visit in early morning or late afternoon for softer light on the mound and more atmospheric views across Søndersø lake.
  • Respect the archaeological remains by avoiding climbing on steep banks or digging; leave the site exactly as you found it.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Boat tour from Maribo

    From central Maribo, board the seasonal tour boat that operates on Søndersø lake and includes stops at Borgø on selected departures. The sailing typically lasts 15–30 minutes each way, depending on the route. Expect basic seating and open decks, with departures concentrated in the warmer months and reduced or no service outside the main season. A return ticket usually costs around 60–120 DKK per adult, with discounts for children. Arrive a little early on busy summer days, as capacity is limited and services may not run in very poor weather.

  • Private boat or kayak

    Confident paddlers and boat owners can reach Borgø independently across Søndersø, starting from public lakefront areas near Maribo. The crossing typically takes 20–40 minutes by kayak or small rowing boat, depending on your starting point, wind and fitness. There is no fee for access to the island itself, but you may need to pay 50–150 DKK for equipment rental if you hire a kayak or small boat locally. Conditions can change quickly on open water, so this option suits visitors comfortable with basic navigation and safety gear.

  • Walking combined with lake access

    Many visitors first walk from Maribo’s town centre to the shores of Søndersø, a largely level route of 20–40 minutes through streets and parkland, suitable for most abilities and pushchairs. From the lakeside, you must still use either a scheduled boat or a privately arranged craft to complete the water crossing to Borgø. This combined option works well if you want to link the castle ruins with time at Maribo Cathedral or the lakeside paths. There is no charge for the walk itself, but budget separately for any boat or kayak transport needed to set foot on the island.

Relic of the Castle Revshale location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Hot Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Any Weather

Unlock the Best of Relic of the Castle Revshale

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Relic of the Castle Revshale

An island stronghold in the Maribo lakes

Set on the tiny island of Borgø in Søndersø lake, the Relic of the Castle Revshale, also known as Refshaleborg, occupies a surprisingly strategic position in the otherwise tranquil Maribo Lakes Nature Park. Reached only by boat, the site feels both secluded and exposed, ringed by open water and reed beds that once acted as natural defences. You arrive not at towering walls, but at a low, grassed-over mound and a landscape subtly shaped by centuries of human design. What first appears to be just a gently rising hill is in fact the castle’s great circular mound, about 90 by 90 metres across, the core of a royal fortress dating back to the late 12th century. From here, kings and their retainers watched over fertile Lolland, rich farmland that made this region worth protecting – and worth fighting for. The surrounding lake and nearby settlements formed part of a deliberately crafted “castle landscape,” where power, piety and everyday village life were tightly intertwined.

Royal power, war and a sudden fall

Archaeological and written sources suggest that Refshaleborg was probably established under King Valdemar the Great or his successors, during an era when Denmark consolidated royal authority through a network of fortresses. The castle appears in medieval land registers as a royal property, underscoring its importance in controlling the surrounding countryside and key routes across Lolland. Its story took a violent turn in 1256, when the castle was attacked and destroyed. Finds of crossbow bolts, a spur and a battle axe near the former bridge approach point to a disciplined, professional force rather than a spontaneous uprising. Scholars still debate who led the assault – possibilities range from church-backed forces to rivals from Holstein – but the consequences were clear: the stronghold was never rebuilt, leaving Borgø and its earthworks slowly to sink back into the landscape.

Reading the earthworks under your feet

As you walk the site today, the key to appreciating Revshale lies in learning to read subtle changes in ground level. The main circular mound is encircled by traces of a curtain wall and defensive structures, now visible as slight ridges and terraces. On the eastern side, multiple banks and moats once layered the approach in depth, turning any assault into a daunting task. Even heavily eroded, you can still follow the lines of these banks, imagining wooden palisades, stone walls and gate towers rising above. Look outwards from the mound and picture the former link to the mainland: somewhere across the water lay the bridge where weapons and armour were found, evidence of the fatal attack. Nearby, there would have been a church, cemetery and village serving the royal castle, completing the orchestrated medieval landscape. Nothing of those buildings stands in view now, but the contours of the island and surrounding shorelines hint at how carefully the setting was chosen and shaped.

Nature park calm and bird-filled skies

Part of the appeal of visiting Revshale today lies in the contrast between its warlike past and its gentle present. Maribo Lakes Nature Park is known for its rich birdlife; overhead you may see greylag geese, herons or birds of prey, while the reed beds rustle with smaller species. The relatively low human impact on Borgø since the castle’s destruction has allowed nature to soften the site, cloaking earthworks in grass, wildflowers and moss. The surrounding water reflects constantly changing northern light, from bright summer evenings to misty autumn mornings. On quieter days you can hear only wind in the reeds and the splash of oars or an occasional tour boat passing. This peaceful atmosphere makes the ruins an appealing spot for reflection, sketching or quiet photography, particularly for those interested in the tension between power and transience.

Exploring in context with Maribo and Lolland

While the ruins themselves are understated, they gain depth in combination with nearby sites. In Maribo, the impressive brick cathedral, once part of a Bridgettine convent, speaks to the religious and political forces that shaped the same medieval landscape as Revshale. Museums in town explore centuries of Lolland’s history, from prehistory through the Middle Ages and beyond, helping to place the castle remains within broader regional narratives. Across Lolland, other castles and manors continue the story of fortified power, from later estates to different royal strongholds. Refshaleborg is distinctive among them for its island setting and its state of ruin: little restored, little monumentalised, it offers a raw, archaeological glimpse of a vanished fortress. For travellers who enjoy piecing together the past from earthworks, documents and imagination, this modest mound on Borgø is one of the region’s most evocative corners.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Relic of the Castle Revshale

Popular Hotels near Relic of the Castle Revshale

Select Currency