Dronningens Bastion
Medieval bulwark crowned with a 1899 water tower, offering rampart walks through Nyborg's fortified heritage.
Dronningens Bastion (the Queen's Bulwark) is a historic fortification in Nyborg, Denmark, featuring one of the city's three remaining medieval bulwarks surrounded by original ramparts. The site is crowned by an elegant water tower built in 1899, designed by Emil Swanenflügel and protected as a heritage structure since 1997. Today, the bastion functions as a public park area offering views of the fortified landscape that once defended Nyborg Castle, with the ramparts serving as walking paths through centuries of Danish military history.
A brief summary to Dronningens Bastion
- Dronningensvej 501, Nyborg, 5800, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.75 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit during the Nyborg Open Air Theatre season to experience the fortifications as a cultural venue, combining history with contemporary performance art.
- Walk the ramparts at different times of day to appreciate how light changes the appearance of the water tower and surrounding landscape.
- Combine your visit with Nyborg Castle nearby to gain a complete understanding of the medieval fortification system and royal history.
- The site is accessible year-round and free to explore, making it ideal for spontaneous visits or extended walks through the park areas.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Train
Regular trains on the Copenhagen-Jutland line stop at Nyborg Station, approximately 2 kilometers from Dronningens Bastion. Journey time from Copenhagen is approximately 90 minutes. From the station, local buses or a 25-minute walk through the city center will bring you to the bastion. Train tickets vary by operator and advance booking, typically ranging from 150–400 Danish krone.
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Car
Nyborg is located 130 kilometers west of Copenhagen and 34 kilometers east of Odense via the E20 highway. Dronningens Bastion is situated at Dronningensvej 501, with limited street parking available nearby. Driving time from Copenhagen is approximately 90 minutes; from Odense, approximately 40 minutes. Parking is free but spaces are limited during peak season.
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Bus
Regional bus services connect Nyborg to surrounding towns and cities on Funen. Journey times vary depending on origin; from Odense, approximately 45 minutes. Bus fares typically range from 50–150 Danish krone depending on distance. The bastion is a short walk from central Nyborg bus stops.
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Bicycle
Funen is renowned for cycling tourism with extensive bike routes. Nyborg is accessible via regional cycling paths from surrounding towns. From Odense, the journey is approximately 40 kilometers and takes 2–3 hours on dedicated cycle routes. Bike rental is available in Nyborg town center, typically costing 100–200 Danish krone per day.
Dronningens Bastion location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Dronningens Bastion
Medieval Fortifications and Royal Significance
Dronningens Bastion stands as one of three surviving bulwarks from Nyborg's extensive medieval fortification system. These ramparts and moats originally encircled Nyborg Castle, stretching across the center of the city and serving as critical defensive structures during Denmark's turbulent medieval period. The fortifications were built to protect the castle, which held immense strategic and political importance—it was here that King Eric V completed the Danish constitution in 1282, cementing Nyborg's role as a seat of royal power. The Queen's Bulwark, along with the Crown Prince's Bulwark and Prince Carl's Bulwark, represents the sophisticated military engineering of medieval Denmark.The Water Tower: A Victorian-Era Landmark
Rising prominently above the bastion is the distinctive Nyborg Water Tower, constructed in 1899 by renowned Danish architect Emil Swanenflügel. This elegant structure was designed to serve the city's growing water supply needs during the industrial era, combining functional engineering with architectural refinement. The tower's design reflects the optimism and modernization of late 19th-century Denmark, and its importance was formally recognized when it received heritage protection status in 1997. The tower has become an iconic symbol of Nyborg, visible from many points across the city and serving as a visual anchor for the fortified landscape.Preserved Ramparts as Public Space
Unlike many medieval fortifications that have been demolished or significantly altered, Dronningens Bastion's original ramparts have been carefully preserved and transformed into accessible park areas. The water regulation systems that controlled the moats during the Middle Ages remain functional, maintaining the authentic character of the site. Walking along these elevated earthworks offers visitors a tangible connection to centuries of Danish history, with views across the fortified terrain that once served as a defensive perimeter. The ramparts provide peaceful green spaces for residents and visitors alike, blending historical preservation with contemporary public use.Integration with Nyborg's Fortified Landscape
Dronningens Bastion exists within a broader context of Nyborg's medieval fortifications, which still define the city's layout and character. The bastion sits adjacent to Nyborg Castle, which underwent major renovation and museum expansion beginning in 2017. Together, these sites tell the story of Denmark's medieval power structure and the strategic importance of Funen island. The fortifications represent a rare example of medieval defensive architecture that has survived largely intact into the modern era, offering insights into medieval military strategy and urban planning.Seasonal Theater and Cultural Events
The fortified landscape surrounding Dronningens Bastion serves as a venue for cultural activities, most notably the annual Nyborg Open Air Theatre performances held at the nearby Crown Prince's Bastion. This integration of historical sites with contemporary cultural programming demonstrates how medieval structures continue to serve the community, hosting performances and gatherings that bring the fortifications to life with modern artistic expression.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Nyborg Fortress
0.2 km
Medieval parliament seat where Danish kings shaped a nation's destiny and founded a Nordic empire.
Den Hvide Jomfru
0.4 km
A modest white monument on Nyborg’s old fortress embankment, Den Hvide Jomfru blends legend, landscape and history into a quiet, atmospheric pause.
Erik Ballings Plads
0.5 km
Where Danish cinema's greatest visionary is celebrated through iconic characters and cultural memory.
Mindesmærke for kaptajn Peter Bredal
0.7 km
A solemn memorial to a 17th-century Danish captain whose frozen fleet became legend.
Nyborg Vold
0.9 km
Stroll the grassy ramparts and mirror-still moats that once guarded Denmark’s medieval power center, now a peaceful green belt wrapping historic Nyborg.
Nyborg St.
1.2 km
A historic rail gateway on Funen’s east coast, Nyborg Station links castle town charm with fast, modern connections across Denmark via the Great Belt.
Befrielsessten i Vindinge
3.3 km
A modest village liberation stone in front of Vindinge Church, quietly commemorating Denmark’s 1945 freedom amid the calm of rural eastern Funen.
Befrielsessten i Skalkendrup
6.9 km
A quiet memorial to Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945
Rolfshøj
14.6 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
Damestenen
14.8 km
Denmark's colossal 1,200-tonne ice-age boulder, transported from Sweden 18,000 years ago.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
26.5 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
Carl Nielsen Museum
26.6 km
Discover the life and work of Carl Nielsen at this intimate Odense museum, where music, history, and Danish cultural heritage blend in interactive exhibits.
H. C. Andersens House
26.6 km
Explore the spellbinding H.C. Andersen’s House in Odense, where world-class storytelling, innovative design, and interactive exhibitions bring fairy tales to life.
Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church
26.6 km
A luminous Brick Gothic cathedral in central Odense, where Denmark’s last Viking king, royal tombs and a masterpiece altarpiece share a serene, living sacred space.
VILLE VAU
26.6 km
A world-class architectural landmark offering immersive exhibitions on Denmark’s maritime past and present, set in a dramatic underground dry dock by Kronborg Castle.
Unmissable attractions to see
Nyborg Water Tower
0.0 km
A proud 1890s brick water tower turned cultural hideaway, rising from Nyborg’s Queen’s Bastion where fortress history meets industrial ingenuity.
Nyborg Castle
0.3 km
Medieval power centre and early Danish capital, where moats, ramparts and royal halls tell the story of kings, parliaments and the kingdom’s first constitution.
Landporten
0.3 km
Step through Nyborg’s historic land gate, once the town’s only entrance, and wander grassy ramparts where fortress walls meet tranquil park-like scenery.
Nyborg Volde
0.3 km
Grassy fortress ramparts circling Nyborg’s old royal heart, now a leafy park of historic earthworks, castle views and relaxed walks above the town.
Nyborg Voldspil
0.3 km
Denmark’s oldest open‑air theatre, staging big summer musicals on Nyborg’s historic ramparts beneath tall trees and long Nordic evening skies.
Nyborg torv
0.4 km
Experience Danish heritage and community on Nyborg’s historic main square, where medieval history meets the relaxed rhythm of modern market town life.
Borgmestergården
0.4 km
Step through the red half‑timbered façade into four centuries of Nyborg history, where a merchant’s and mayor’s home now tells the town’s intimate story.
Mads Lerches Gård
0.4 km
Step into an 18th-century merchant's home and discover the intimate world of prosperous Nyborg.
Mindesten for Slaget ved Nyborg 1659
0.4 km
A modest stone in a small green corner of Nyborg that quietly commemorates the brutal 1659 battle which helped secure Denmark’s survival as an independent kingdom.
Nyborg Lokalhistoriske Arkiv
0.5 km
Paper trails, photographs and quiet stories: Nyborg’s local history archive opens a focused window onto the town’s streets, families and everyday past.
Nyborg Prison
0.6 km
A century-old red-brick state prison on Funen, where imposing walls, watchtowers and hidden courtyards reveal Denmark’s evolving approach to confinement and rehabilitation.
Church of Our Lady
0.6 km
Medieval red-brick landmark founded by Queen Margrete I, Nyborg’s Church of Our Lady blends royal history, Gothic architecture and living Lutheran tradition.
Mindesmærke for D-Dag
0.8 km
Compact yet powerful, Nyborg’s D‑Day Memorial quietly honours Danish war sailors and links a small coastal town to the vast drama of 6 June 1944.
Schønheyders Plads
0.8 km
A modest harborfront square on Nyborg’s Vesterhavnen, where everyday maritime life, open water views, and the town’s coastal character quietly meet.
Børge Jensens Plads
0.8 km
Experience the Befrielsessten in Sulkendrup: A serene memorial park honoring Denmark's World War II liberation amidst lush countryside.
Essential places to dine
Sneppen
0.4 km
Intimate Nyborg restaurant marrying modern Nordic flavors and excellent bread with a relaxed, candlelit atmosphere on historic Slotsgade.
Restaurant Apoli
0.4 km
Intimate Italian‑inspired café‑restaurant on historic Slotsgade, pairing handmade brunch, antipasti and dinners with one of Nyborg’s most charming castle views.
Nyborg Pizza
0.4 km
Casual pizzeria serving affordable, satisfying fast food in Nyborg's town center.
Den Gode Smag ApS
0.4 km
Central square café-brasserie in Nyborg serving tapas, hearty classics and good wine in a cozy, candlelit setting just steps from the historic castle.
King's Running Sushi & Wok
0.5 km
Casual all‑you‑can‑eat sushi and wok in the heart of Nyborg, mixing conveyor‑belt plates, tablet ordering and playful robot service in a lively setting.
Central Cafeen
0.5 km
Historic Danish eatery in the heart of Nyborg, serving classic comfort dishes like smørrebrød and æggekage in cosy, unpretentious surroundings.
Asia Restaurant
0.5 km
Casual, all‑you‑can‑eat Asian buffet with sushi and family‑friendly value in a modern, easygoing setting on the edge of Nyborg.
Nyborg Thai Food
0.5 km
Authentic Thai cuisine in Nyborg's center—dine in or take away.
Mamma's Nyborg
0.5 km
Casual Italian pizzas, pasta and focaccia in Nyborg’s historic centre, offering a warm, family‑friendly evening stop for relaxed dine‑in meals or easy takeaway.
Chicago burger
0.5 km
Straightforward, American-style burgers in Nyborg’s compact town center, ideal for a quick, filling meal or takeaway between castle, harbor, and coastal strolls.
Pizza King
0.5 km
Casual pizzeria in the heart of Nyborg serving hearty slices, classic pizzas and fast favourites for an easy, budget‑friendly meal any day of the week.
Roeds Brasserie
0.5 km
Refined bistro dining with impeccable service and curated wines in the heart of Nyborg.
Jimbo's Kaffebar
0.5 km
Cosy Nyborg kaffebar where well-made coffee, hearty panini and relaxed evening drinks meet in a warm, lived-in neighbourhood atmosphere.
Café Valde
0.5 km
Cozy corner café near Nyborg’s harbor, serving smørrebrød, burgers, local craft beer and distillery cocktails in a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere.
Det Lille Vaffelbageri
0.6 km
Homemade waffle cones and generous scoops in a cosy Nyborg side street, blending simple Danish ice-cream joy with the charm of a historic royal town.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Pyre Studio
0.5 km
Independent Nyborg boutique offering thoughtfully curated contemporary clothing in a calm, studio-like space on historic Kongegade.
Kop & Kande
0.5 km
Compact Danish homeware and gift shop in Nyborg’s town centre, blending practical kitchen tools, tableware and lamps with a cozy, everyday local atmosphere.
H&M
0.5 km
Compact high-street fashion hub in the heart of Nyborg, bringing everyday basics, family essentials and seasonal trends together on lively Nørregade.
Helle Svansø
0.5 km
A cosy Nyborg specialty shop where Italian delicacies, handpicked wines and colourful ceramics come together in lovingly curated gift-worthy combinations.
Uldbutikken Marcusholm
0.5 km
A small, personal yarn and craft shop in Nyborg’s historic centre, where warm wool, handmade ceramics and expert advice create a cosy creative retreat.
Vinspecialisten Nyborg
0.5 km
Atmospheric wine shop and cosy coffee & wine bar on Nyborg’s Nørregade, blending curated bottles, tastings and local charm in an intimate, owner-driven setting.
JYSK Nyborg
0.5 km
Straightforward Scandinavian home and garden shopping in a practical big-box store on Nyborg’s edge, ideal for furnishing bedrooms, living spaces and outdoor corners.
Pigernes Magasin
0.5 km
Intimate women’s fashion and lingerie boutique tucked above a central Nyborg street, blending personalised fittings with relaxed, small‑town Danish charm.
Tøjeksperten
0.6 km
Premium menswear specialist in Nyborg's heart, offering quality clothing with exceptional customer service and a generous 365-day return policy.
Nyborg Paletten v/Jan Andersen
0.6 km
A cozy Nyborg art and secondhand shop where paints, paper, books and curious finds share shelves in a compact, creative corner on Nørregade.
Tinga Tango v/Anette Langholm
0.6 km
A cosy Nyborg design boutique blending Scandinavian home décor, colour and hygge across two light-filled shopfronts on lively Kongegade.
Linn V/Tina Rasmussen
0.6 km
Intimate owner-run womenswear boutique in central Nyborg, offering classic Scandinavian style and personal service along cosy Mellemgade.
Loppetjansen.dk
0.6 km
Denmark's trusted family pet supply specialist with expert guidance and quality products for every companion.
Tippy
0.6 km
Contemporary women's fashion in the heart of historic Nyborg's charming medieval center.
Intersport Nyborg
0.6 km
Nyborg's trusted sports retailer with expert service and complete outdoor gear selection.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Øksendrup Cider
0.5 km
Cosy Nyborg cider bar showcasing organic East Funen apples, slow‑fermented bottles and intimate tastings in the historic heart of Denmark’s former royal city.
Chr. II's Pub
0.5 km
Casual Danish pub in Nyborg's historic centre, where locals gather for authentic neighbourhood hospitality.
Ophav
0.6 km
Nyborg's refined casual dining hub blending bar, restaurant, and café culture with seasonal local cuisine.
Corner Bar
0.6 km
Unpretentious neighborhood bar on Nyborg’s Strandvejen corner, serving cold drinks, easy conversation and a playful weekend wheel of fortune from late morning.
Laboratoriet Nyborg
0.6 km
Atmospheric wine bar and bottle shop in a historic 1824 apothecary laboratory, tucked in a Nyborg courtyard and serving carefully chosen wines, snacks and coffee.
Phønix I/S
0.6 km
Cozy, no-frills bar and burger spot in central Nyborg, serving cold beers, simple comfort food, and relaxed local nightlife just off the town’s historic streets.
Terningen Henrik Skovlykke Vedel Hansen
19.3 km
Cozy neighborhood bar in Årslev with billiards, hearty Danish comfort food and a relaxed local atmosphere from late morning coffee to late-night beers.
Den Gyldne Hund
21.2 km
Smoky, harbourfront pub in Lohals where locals, sailors and visitors share simple drinks, sea air and classic Danish værtshus atmosphere.
Marina's Sportslounge
21.3 km
Laid-back village sports bar in Tranekær, mixing live matches, simple small plates and a friendly Langeland local-pub feel.
Hjallese Puben
25.4 km
Vibrant neighborhood bar where Odense locals gather for music, drinks, and authentic Danish pub atmosphere.
Den Lille Kro Odense
25.9 km
A classic Odense brown bar with history in its walls, cold beer on tap and a warmly worn, neighborhood atmosphere that feels instantly familiar.
Vandpibe Cafe Odense - Casablanca lounge cafe
26.0 km
Cozy Odense shisha lounge blending Middle Eastern café culture with Danish hygge, soft music, and long, sociable evenings over fragrant hookah and drinks.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
26.3 km
A small, steadfast neighborhood beer bar in Odense C where inexpensive drinks, local regulars, and a laid-back dive-bar atmosphere tell their own quiet story.
The Flower and the Bee
26.4 km
Experience Odense's vibrant nightlife at The Flower and the Bee, a premier weekend dance bar offering quality cocktails and dynamic music in a lively atmosphere.
Rabalder Bar Odense
26.4 km
A small, homely Odense bar styled like grandma’s living room, serving easygoing drinks and sing‑along hits in the heart of the city’s weekend nightlife.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
KJ's bodel
0.4 km
Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.
Muzirkus
1.1 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
21.9 km
Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.
BUTCHERS Odense
26.4 km
High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.
Boogie Dance Café
26.7 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
Dansebar Odense
26.8 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
27.4 km
Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.
Crazy Daisy Svendborg
30.4 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
Gecco Bar & Natklub
37.3 km
Loud, colorful, and unapologetically party‑focused, Gecco Bar & Natklub is Slagelse’s straightforward late‑night spot for dancing, drinks, and familiar club hits.
Gammeltorv
37.4 km
Slagelse's vibrant weekend nightclub where locals and visitors dance until dawn.
The Upper Hill
37.4 km
A lively, well-loved pub and wine bar on Slagelse’s main square, delivering authentic Danish nightlife, craft drinks, and regular social events in a warm, modern setting.
Slagelse Jazzklub
37.6 km
Western Zealand's premier jazz venue celebrating five decades of live music, dining, and authentic club culture.
Kasket karl
42.3 km
Discover authentic Danish hospitality and local color at Kasket Karl, Rudkøbing’s beloved bodega on Langeland—a lively gathering spot offering drinks, history, and community.
Langelands Jazzklub
42.6 km
Experience the vibrant local jazz scene at Langelands Jazzklub in Rudkøbing, where live music and island hospitality meet in one of Denmark’s most charming settings.
Juviklubben
44.9 km
Intimate Kalundborg live music hub and youth club, where generations meet for close-up concerts, casual bar nights and a laid-back, community-driven vibe.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Industrial Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Car-Free Access
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Myth & Legends
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly