Relic of the Castle Revshale on Borgø
Subtle grassy earthworks on Borgø Island where a forgotten royal fortress, fierce 13th‑century battles and the serene Maribo Lakes Nature Park meet.
Rising gently from the island of Borgø in Maribo Søndersø, the Relic of the Castle Revshale (Refshaleborg) is a quietly evocative medieval stronghold reduced today to grassy earthworks and low stone remains. Once a royal fortress guarding Lolland in the 12th and 13th centuries, the site now lies within the protected Maribo Lakes Nature Park, surrounded by reeds, open water and rich birdlife. It is a place where Danish power politics, archaeology and tranquil lake scenery meet in one compact, atmospheric stop.
A brief summary to Relic of the Castle Revshale
- Borgø, Maribo, 4930, DK
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Free
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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
- Bring sturdy shoes: you will be walking on uneven grassy slopes and earthworks rather than paved paths when exploring the castle mound.
- Pair the visit with time in Maribo Cathedral and the lakeside paths to better understand the wider medieval landscape that the castle once anchored.
- Carry water, snacks and weather‑appropriate clothing, as facilities on Borgø itself are minimal and shade can be limited on sunny days.
- If you are interested in archaeology, read up on Refshaleborg before arrival so that the banks, moats and mound features are easier to interpret on site.
- Combine the castle stop with a lake boat trip or paddle outing to appreciate how the water once functioned as the castle’s first line of defence.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Tour boat from Maribo
From central Maribo, reach the lakeshore near the cathedral and board the seasonal tour boat that operates on Maribo Søndersø, typically from late spring to early autumn. The cruise to Borgø usually takes around 20–40 minutes depending on route and stops. Expect adult tickets in the range of 80–140 DKK, with family and child discounts. Services run mainly during daylight hours and can be weather‑dependent, so it is wise to check sailing days and departure times in advance.
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Canoe or kayak on Maribo Søndersø
Another option is to rent a canoe or kayak from an outfitter near Maribo or around the nature park and paddle to Borgø. The crossing from the Maribo lakeshore typically takes 45–90 minutes each way, depending on conditions and your pace. Rental prices are commonly around 300–500 DKK per day for a canoe or double kayak. This option is best for reasonably fit visitors comfortable on open freshwater; life jackets are provided, and trips are most suitable during the ice‑free, calmer months from late spring to early autumn.
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Cycle–plus–boat combination from Lolland
If you are already exploring Lolland by bicycle, you can ride into Maribo along signposted local cycle routes and then combine your trip with either the lake tour boat or a pre‑arranged small boat transfer to Borgø. Cycling time from nearby villages is often 20–45 minutes, depending on your starting point, and boat time across the lake around 20–30 minutes. Costs then consist of standard bike rental rates in the area, typically 100–250 DKK per day, plus the separate fare for the lake crossing. This combination works well in mild, dry weather, as both cycling and boating are exposed to the elements.
Relic of the Castle Revshale location weather suitability
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Mild Temperatures
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Clear Skies
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Relic of the Castle Revshale
Royal stronghold in the middle of the lake
On the low, rounded island of Borgø in Maribo Søndersø lie the remains of Castle Revshale, also known as Refshaleborg. In the Middle Ages this was a royal castle with an unusually strategic setting, built out in the lake north of Maribo on the island of Lolland. Archaeological and written sources suggest that the fortress was established in the late 12th century, probably under King Valdemar the Great, and continued to be developed into the 13th century as part of a wider network of royal power across southern Denmark. The island location was no romantic flourish. The waters of Søndersø created a natural moat, while controlled causeways and landing points turned Borgø into a defensible hub from which the crown could oversee fertile estates and important routes across Lolland. Nearby churches, villages and smaller castles formed part of a larger “castle landscape”, a carefully shaped environment designed to underline royal authority as much as to provide physical protection.Earthworks that hint at vanished walls
Today the visitor encounters a broad, grassy mound rather than soaring towers. The core of the castle forms an almost circular platform roughly ninety metres across, ringed by banks and ditches, particularly pronounced on the eastern side where a system of four ramparts and four moats once guarded the approach. Centuries of demolition, erosion and reuse have removed most visible masonry, yet the contours still clearly trace the footprint of the medieval stronghold. With a little imagination it is easy to restore the missing structures in your mind’s eye. The mound was once encircled by a curtain wall, likely punctuated by towers and a gatehouse facing the most controlled landing point. Within the enclosure, timber buildings and stone halls would have clustered around small courtyards, with views across the water and over the agricultural landscape of Lolland beyond. Subtle changes in ground level and scattered stones underfoot are the final clues to that compact, fortified world.Traces of conflict and sudden destruction
Castle Revshale’s life as a fortress ended abruptly in the mid‑13th century. Written chronicles record an attack in 1256 that left the site destroyed, and excavations have uncovered vivid evidence of that episode. Finds such as dozens of crossbow bolts, a spur and a battle axe near the former bridge line tell of professional soldiers closing in on the island, trading missiles across the water and on the approach banks. The identity of the attackers remains debated among historians, with powerful church interests and the counts of Holstein both possible candidates in a time of shifting alliances and regional rivalry. Whatever the precise story, the destruction froze the castle’s development. Without later rebuilding, the earthworks preserve a relatively pure example of a high‑status royal site from Denmark’s formative medieval centuries, even if only the landscape skeleton remains.Lake island within a protected nature park
The ruins sit within the Maribo Lakes Nature Park, one of Denmark’s most important freshwater landscapes. Søndersø, the largest of the lakes, is scattered with islands and fringed by reeds, wet meadows and woodland, creating a haven for waterfowl and other wildlife. Borgø, at about seventeen hectares, is the largest of these islands and the only one to have been inhabited in more recent times. This natural setting shapes the experience as much as the history. Approaching across the water, the castle mound rises gently above reed beds, and bird calls carry over the lake. From the top of the earthworks you look out not over battlements and enemy armies but across flat fields, manorial woods and the other low islands that dot Søndersø. The atmosphere is quietly rural, and even on a short visit it is easy to understand why the area is recognised for both its biodiversity and its cultural layers.Exploring a subtle, story‑rich landscape
Visiting the Relic of the Castle Revshale is less about studying architectural detail and more about reading landscape. Paths over the mound allow you to walk the line of the former walls and peer down into the surrounding ditches, while edges of the island hint at where bridges and landing places once connected Borgø to the mainland. Simple markers and knowledge picked up in Maribo help unlock what would otherwise appear to be only a large grassy hill. Combined with a wider circuit of the Maribo Lakes, the ruin becomes one stop in a day of layered experiences: medieval power, manorial estates, birdlife, and the calm rhythm of a lowland lake. It is a modest site in physical remains, but for travellers who enjoy piecing together stories from subtle traces, Castle Revshale offers a quietly rewarding encounter with Denmark’s past.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Nature Reserve
- Low Impact
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Mindfulness
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Adventure Photo Shoot
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Requires Hike
- Remote
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
