Maglekilde Spring and Wellhouse
A modest timber wellhouse over Roskilde’s most powerful spring, where centuries of mills, spas and industry once turned the steady flow of water into the city’s lifeblood.
Tucked just below Roskilde’s historic core, Maglekilde is the city’s most powerful natural spring, once gushing enough water to drive a chain of watermills all the way to Roskilde Fjord. Today you’ll find a small timber wellhouse with a red-tiled roof set beside a quiet parking area, where clear water still flows from a grotto-like setting. It is a modest but atmospheric stop that hints at centuries of industrial history, spa culture, and the natural forces that shaped Roskilde’s growth around its abundant springs.
A brief summary to Maglekilde
- Maglekildevej 5, Roskilde, 4000, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Combine Maglekilde with a walk to Roskilde Cathedral and the historic centre; the spring works best as a short heritage stop on a wider city stroll.
- Look for information panels or plaques around the site that explain the former mill, spa and industrial buildings that once surrounded the spring.
- Visit in daylight for the clearest view of the wellhouse details and to better appreciate the way the spring sits in the slope below the city streets.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Train and walk from Copenhagen
From Copenhagen, take a regional train to Roskilde Station, a journey of about 25–30 minutes with departures several times per hour. From the station, allow 10–15 minutes on foot to reach the spring, following mainly paved, gently sloping streets that are manageable for most visitors. A standard one-way adult ticket on this route typically costs around 80–100 DKK, depending on ticket type and time of purchase.
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Local bus within Roskilde
If you are already in Roskilde but prefer not to walk from the station, use a local city bus heading towards the central districts near the cathedral and Støden area. The ride usually takes 5–10 minutes, with services running roughly every 10–20 minutes during the day. A single-zone city ticket typically costs about 24–30 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines or mobile apps. From the nearest bus stop, expect a short urban walk on sidewalks with a slight incline.
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Car or rental car to Maglekildevej
Drivers approaching Roskilde from the motorway network can reach the central area in around 5–10 minutes after leaving the main route, depending on traffic. Maglekildevej is close to the historic centre, and nearby parking areas often offer time-limited free spaces, commonly up to two hours. Fuel and parking costs vary, but you should budget for standard Danish city rates if you need longer-term parking in nearby car parks.
Maglekilde location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Maglekilde
The spring that shaped a medieval town
Maglekilde is the strongest of Roskilde’s natural springs, long regarded as one of a dozen that fed the medieval town with fresh water. For centuries it bubbled from the slope just north of the centre, once issuing an enormous volume of water each hour. That constant flow made the site far more than a pretty curiosity: it became one of the engines behind Roskilde’s rise as an important Danish city. Standing here today, with traffic humming faintly above and the cathedral towers not far away, it can be hard to picture how vital this water source once was. Yet the spring anchored a busy industrial corridor that stretched down towards Roskilde Fjord, where waterpower transformed the landscape into a line of mills, ponds and workshops.From watermill to industrial powerhouse
A watermill at Maglekilde is mentioned in documents from the 13th century, tying the site closely to the church estates that dominated the region’s economy. For generations the mill ground grain and processed local produce, using the spring’s abundant flow. Over time, Maglekilde’s waters were harnessed to power a chain of additional mills downstream, each taking its share of the current. After a devastating fire in the 1730s, the original mill complex was rebuilt and reimagined as a paper mill and later a textile works. Skilled workers were brought in, new housing was built, and Maglekilde evolved into a compact industrial hub. The noise of machinery, the smell of damp fibre and the rhythm of waterwheels once filled this otherwise modest hollow in the hillside, linking Roskilde to broader currents of early industrialisation in Denmark.Health spa dreams and mineral water fashions
By the mid-19th century the old industries were fading, and local citizens turned to a new idea: harnessing the spring for health and leisure. They demolished much of the industrial complex, filled in the millpond and created a spa and mineral water establishment, tapping into the era’s enthusiasm for curative waters. An architect-designed building rose above the spring, while the water itself was channelled through a closed conduit into a grotto on Maglekildevej. Here it emerged from the mouth of a sculpted Neptune figure, blending classical imagery with the practical appeal of a local wellness retreat. For a time, patients and holidaymakers came to take the waters, enjoy baths and drink bottled mineral water bearing the Maglekilde name. Though the spa building later lost its original function and was eventually demolished, this phase left a lasting cultural trace in the city’s memory.The listed wellhouse and its small-scale charm
The modest timber wellhouse you see today dates from 1927, built as a neat, functional shelter over the spring. With its simple wooden structure and red tile roof, it feels more like a garden pavilion than heavy industrial heritage. Yet this unassuming building has been recognised for its significance and is now protected, ensuring that the story of the spring remains visible in the modern cityscape. The surroundings are surprisingly low-key: the wellhouse stands beside a parking area, with glimpses of nearby streets and roofs. Look closely and you can still see the way the water is guided and contained, a reminder that Maglekilde has been engineered and re‑engineered over centuries. The contrast between the quiet setting and the site’s energetic past is part of its appeal.Experiencing Maglekilde in today’s Roskilde
Visiting Maglekilde is less about grand architecture and more about pausing at a small, telling detail of Roskilde’s history. It works well as a short stop on a walk between the cathedral area and the northern part of town, a place to picture mill wheels turning and spa visitors arriving in carriages. The gentle sound of running water, the sheltered feel of the slope and the backdrop of everyday city life combine into a scene that is both ordinary and quietly evocative. For those interested in industrial heritage or the role of water in shaping settlements, Maglekilde offers a compact case study: from medieval mill to paper and textile factory, from spa to parking lot, with a single spring as the constant thread. Taking a few minutes to stand by the wellhouse, you can trace that long story in your imagination, guided by the continual flow of clear water emerging from the depths beneath Roskilde.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Det Kongelige Palæ i Roskilde
0.3 km
Baroque palace where Danish royalty met democracy, now a vibrant hub for art and culture.
Skänk Beer & Wine bar
0.8 km
Experience Aarhus’ celestial heritage at the Ole Rømer Observatory, where history, culture, and astronomy converge for hands-on stargazing and exploration.
Roskildekrukkerne
0.9 km
Three colossal ceramic jars rising from a mirrored basin transform Roskilde’s station square into an open-air monument to a thousand years of city history.
Sct Hans Have
1.6 km
Explore Aarhus’ signature waterfront, where innovative architecture, lively promenades, and maritime history create Denmark’s most vibrant urban shoreline.
Masterhøj udsigtspost
3.5 km
Bronze Age mound commanding 360-degree views of Roskilde, fjord, and medieval heritage.
Ølstykke bypark - Bebyggelsen Søhøj Park ligger nord for byparken, fjern ALT med Søhøj også naturlegeplasen
17.1 km
Discover Ølstykke Bypark, a green haven offering tranquility and recreation in the heart of Ølstykke, perfect for families, nature lovers, and community events.
Køge Nord
17.1 km
A soaring timber‑lined footbridge and high‑speed rail hub turning everyday commuting into a slice of contemporary Danish architecture and panoramic landscape.
Roskilde Fjord
18.6 km
Discover Roskilde Fjord: A blend of Viking history, serene landscapes, and outdoor adventures awaits in this captivating Danish destination, easily accessible from Copenhagen.
Køge Å
19.0 km
Explore Skagen’s maritime history with hands-on exhibits and live marine engines at Maskinrummet, an atmospheric museum in the heart of the harbour.
Gerlevparkens Venner
19.7 km
Discover Denmark's horticultural heritage at Gerlevparken near Jægerspris: explore unique rose collections, a diverse tree collection, and tranquil gardens maintained by dedicated volunteers.
Køge Ås
20.1 km
Striking lighthouse at Denmark’s northern edge, offering panoramic views, interactive birdwatching, café, exhibitions, and a window into Skagen’s wild coastal nature.
Bronzestien - Køge Ås
21.1 km
Stroll through ancient landscapes along Køge Ås, where prehistoric burial mounds and glacial history meet serene Danish woodlands near Køge.
Gammel Køgegård
21.2 km
Discover the enchanting world of teddy bears at Skagen Bamsemuseum, a must-visit attraction in Denmark's northernmost town.
KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces
21.6 km
A must-visit in Skagen, Denmark, the Bamsemuseum enchants visitors with a vast collection of teddy bears and playful exhibits, celebrating nostalgia and Danish culture.
Mindesten for Træskoslaget
21.6 km
A modest memorial stone in central Køge marking the 1807 “Clogs Battle,” where local militia faced British troops during the turbulent Gunboat War.
Unmissable attractions to see
Kildehuset
0.1 km
A modest former schoolhouse tucked into a cobbled lane, Kildehuset reveals Roskilde’s quieter side through small‑scale history and intimate streetscape.
Rektorkilden
0.1 km
Explore experimentation and innovation at Roskilde’s Museum of Contemporary Art, where cutting-edge exhibitions and performances illuminate the evolving world of modern art.
Gravmonument over Frederik IX
0.2 km
Et stille, åbent kongeligt gravsted ved Roskilde Domkirke, hvor sømandskongens enkle sten, nordatlantiske materialer og moderne murværk møder udsigten mod fjorden.
Domkirkemuseet
0.2 km
Intimate museum spaces inside Roskilde’s UNESCO-listed cathedral, revealing the hidden stories behind royal tombs, brick Gothic architecture and a millennium of Danish faith.
Sct Hans Kilde
0.2 km
A tiny historic spring tucked behind Roskilde’s houses, Sct. Hans Kilde offers a brief, tranquil glimpse into the town’s medieval, church-linked water heritage.
Roskilde Cathedral
0.3 km
UNESCO-listed brick Gothic cathedral and royal mausoleum where a thousand years of Danish history, architecture and monarchy meet under soaring red-brick vaults.
Byens Hus
0.3 km
Community-powered civic townhouse in Roskilde’s old city hall, where history, democracy and everyday cultural life share the same welcoming rooms.
Stændertorvet
0.3 km
Historic heart of Roskilde where cathedral views, markets and daily city life meet on a broad, atmospheric square framed by shops, cafés and civic buildings.
Skt. Laurentius
0.3 km
Step beneath Roskilde’s central square and up its historic tower for a compact journey through 900 years of church ruins, civic life and city views in one spot.
Håndværksmuseet
0.3 km
An intimate upstairs museum in historic Roskilde, where traditional woodcraft tools and workshops trace the journey from forest timber to finely made everyday objects.
Byparkens Legeplads
0.5 km
Shaded, child-friendly play space in the heart of Roskilde’s Byparken, surrounded by mature trees, gentle equipment and the calm of a classic Danish city park.
Roskilde Museum
0.5 km
Denmark's premier city museum revealing a thousand years of history in two heritage buildings.
Sct Gertruds Kilde
0.6 km
A small, historic spring on Frederiksborgvej where Roskilde’s sacred past, urban growth and ever-flowing groundwater quietly meet at the edge of the city hillside.
Helligkors Kilde
0.6 km
Once a famed holy spring and royal water source, Hellig Kors Kilde is now a quiet stone-framed reminder of Roskilde’s deep bond with its life-giving springs.
RoS Gallery
0.6 km
Contemporary art in a beautifully restored gasworks on Roskilde’s harbour, pairing industrial character with changing exhibitions and free, easy-going access.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Mumm I/S
0.2 km
Slow-food focused, seasonal small-plate dining in an intimate Roskilde townhouse with a leafy summer courtyard and a distinctly Nordic, wine-led evening atmosphere.
Halifax Burgers Roskilde
0.3 km
Casual build-your-own burger joint on Roskilde’s main street, pairing generous portions and craft drinks with a strong line-up of vegetarian and vegan options.
Marcella Pizza & Pasta - Restaurant Roskilde
0.3 km
Cozy Italian bistro in Roskilde’s main shopping street, serving Neapolitan-style pizzas, generous pasta dishes and easygoing, family-friendly comfort food.
Café Korn - Roskilde
0.3 km
Cosy all‑day café and brasserie on Roskilde’s main pedestrian street, serving hearty brunches, burgers and salads in a warm, grocery‑style setting.
Basilico
0.3 km
Casual Italian comfort and generous pizzas in the heart of Roskilde’s old town, ideal for a relaxed, family‑friendly break between cathedral and shopping.
Restaurant Raadhuskælderen
0.3 km
Historic cellar dining beneath Roskilde’s old town hall, serving classic Danish smørrebrød and hearty dishes in a warm, modern-meets-traditional setting.
Namaste - Restaurant Roskilde
0.3 km
Authentic North Indian cuisine in a beautifully restored historic building in central Roskilde.
Restaurant That's Amore
0.3 km
Cozy, candlelit Italian restaurant in central Roskilde, serving wood-fired pizzas, hearty pasta and Italian wines in a warm, romantic yet relaxed setting.
Restaurant Upstairs
0.3 km
Elevated European dining in historic Roskilde, where seasonal ingredients and skilled craftsmanship meet Nordic warmth.
Café A Roskilde
0.3 km
Casual all‑day café on Roskilde’s main square, serving familiar brunch plates, burgers and drinks with outdoor seating and easygoing atmosphere in the historic center.
Cafe Vivaldi
0.4 km
Bright all-day café on Roskilde’s historic main square, mixing generous comfort food, relaxed drinks and prime cathedral-side people-watching.
Lenes Streetfood
0.4 km
Casual Danish street food served from a cozy kiosk on Roskilde’s historic Stændertorvet square, perfect for a quick, affordable bite between cathedral and city sights.
Nua Mama's Secret
0.4 km
Cozy Thai dinners with generous curries, sizzling stir-fries and vegan-friendly options in the historic streets of central Roskilde.
Bella-Capri Restaurant-Pizzaria
0.4 km
Unpretentious Italian comfort food in the heart of Roskilde, serving generous pizzas and hearty mains in a relaxed, family-friendly neighbourhood setting.
Rib House
0.4 km
Hearty ribs and grill classics in a relaxed, family‑friendly steakhouse tucked into a central Roskilde courtyard near the city’s historic sights.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Friluftsland
0.3 km
Specialist outdoor shop in central Roskilde, equipping you with quality clothing, footwear and gear for Scandinavian weather, local escapes and longer adventures.
Hobbii
0.3 km
Denmark's premier yarn destination where creativity meets expert guidance and community.
Guldfuglen A/S
0.3 km
Traditional Roskilde jeweller on lively Skomagergade, offering classic jewellery, watches and personal service in a calm, central setting.
Copenhagen Luxe Roskilde
0.3 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion in natural materials on Roskilde's pedestrian shopping street.
Normal
0.3 km
Brand-name products at unbeatable prices in central Roskilde's premier discount store.
Den franske vinhandel
0.3 km
Historic Roskilde wine merchant with a cavernous cellar, freshly roasted coffee and gourmet treats, turning a simple shopping stop into a richly flavoured experience.
Boutique Dedenroth v / Helle Dedenroth
0.3 km
Owner-run women’s fashion boutique on Roskilde’s central square, offering curated, timeless clothing and a relaxed, personal shopping experience.
Bog & Idé
0.4 km
Central Roskilde’s cozy book and gift shop, where classic Danish bookselling meets games, stationery and everyday essentials on historic Stændertorvet.
Perssons Roskilde
0.4 km
Contemporary fashion in the heart of Roskilde's historic shopping district.
Byline Denmark (tidligere Byline & Bisgaard)
0.4 km
A cozy courtyard boutique in the heart of Roskilde, blending Scandinavian fashion, accessories, and gift ideas in a calm, well-curated setting.
NORII Roskilde
0.4 km
A cozy Scandinavian womenswear boutique on Roskilde’s Algade, offering curated, timeless pieces and personal service in the heart of the historic city.
No 1 Butik
0.4 km
Intimate Roskilde lifestyle boutique blending Nordic design, playful gifts and gourmet treats into one cozy, carefully curated shopping stop.
PURE Copenhagen
0.4 km
A cosy Roskilde boutique blending Scandinavian-inspired women’s fashion, personal styling, and a relaxed neighbourhood feel right on historic Algade.
Metropol
0.5 km
Intimate Roskilde boutique in Djalma Lunds Gård, blending Scandinavian style, curated labels and a touch of vintage in a calm, welcoming shopping space.
Red Cross Op Shop
0.5 km
Volunteer-run Red Cross thrift shop in central Roskilde, where affordable second-hand finds and everyday browsing quietly support humanitarian work.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
PAUSE
0.3 km
Intimate wine and beer bar in Roskilde's historic center, celebrating Nordic hospitality and craft beverages.
Ruder Konge Bodega
0.3 km
A timeworn Danish bodega in central Roskilde, offering cheap beer, pool tables and unpretentious pub life just off the city’s main pedestrian street.
PROP Vin og Tapasbar
0.4 km
Intimate Roskilde wine bar pairing curated bottles with Mediterranean-inspired tapas in a candlelit room and sheltered courtyard, strictly for a relaxed 25+ crowd.
Gullanden
0.4 km
An unpretentious Roskilde pub with darts, DJ nights, cold beer and a loyal local crowd, where evenings stretch easily into the early hours.
Teatercaféen
0.5 km
Unpretentious local beer hall in Roskilde where everyday life, cheap drinks and warm conversation matter more than design or trends.
28 Live
0.5 km
A lively “youth club for adults” in central Roskilde, blending bar, games, live shows, sport and nightclub energy under one sociable roof.
Gustav Wieds - Byens Ølbar
0.7 km
Craft-focused neighbourhood beer bar in central Roskilde, combining eight rotating taps, a cosy wooden interior, jukebox tunes and billiards in a relaxed local atmosphere.
Klosterkælderen
0.8 km
Roskilde's premier craft beer cellar with 200+ beers and authentic Danish pub charm.
Mulligans Irish Pub
0.9 km
Authentic Irish pub in two storeys with live music, craft beers, and vibrant social atmosphere in central Roskilde.
Copé Lounge
0.9 km
Urban lounge bar by Roskilde’s main square, blending backyard summer vibes, easygoing cocktails and cosy Danish hygge late into the night.
Georges Bodega
0.9 km
Old-school Danish bodega at Roskilde’s Hestetorvet, pouring cold beer from morning to late night with indoor smoking, local regulars and station-square views.
Roskilde Bodega
1.1 km
Classic Danish corner bar on Holbækvej with pool, darts, slot machines and a lively local crowd, offering an unpolished, authentic bodega atmosphere from day to late night.
Musicon Mikrobryggeri
1.8 km
Local craft beer, stainless-steel tanks and live music energy in the heart of Roskilde’s creative Musicon district.
Vinbaren Muicon
1.8 km
An intimate wine bar in Roskilde’s Musicon district, pairing cozy Nordic warmth with a curated wine list and relaxed, conversation-friendly vibes.
Charlie Chaplin
1.9 km
An unfussy neighbourhood bar in Roskilde, Charlie Chaplin pours cold beers and warm conversation in a relaxed local bodega setting far from the city’s tourist crowds.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Danseriet
0.5 km
Frivilligdrevet danseklub i Roskilde med stort dansegulv, livebands og hyggelig stemning for danseglade gæster på tværs af aldre og niveauer.
Garbos Roskilde
0.7 km
Cozy neighborhood nightclub in central Roskilde, blending casual bar vibes with a compact dance floor and late-night weekend energy on Hersegade.
Dansebar Roskilde
0.8 km
Roskilde's premier multi-floor nightclub with dual dance spaces, three bars, and DJ-driven energy until dawn.
Klubhuset
3.0 km
Low-key local clubhouse turned disco-style nightspot, where a simple bar, small dance floor and regulars’ vibe create relaxed, unpretentious nights in Roskilde.
Tropicana DC
3.1 km
Compact Latin-flavoured nightclub on Roskilde’s industrial edge, delivering loud beats, simple drinks and a late-night dancefloor focused purely on partying.
Den Dansende Viking
15.6 km
High-energy suburban nightclub in Egedal Centret, serving packed dance floors, late-night DJ sets and budget-friendly drinks for party-focused weekends.
The Flame
22.1 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub by Køge’s harbor, serving up youthful beats, live acts and weekend dance-floor vibes in an intimate, no-frills setting.
LUSIO
22.1 km
Compact harbor-side nightclub in Køge with late Friday hours, a tight dance floor, and an intimate, no‑frills setting for Danish weekend nights out.
Bloom Nightclub
22.1 km
Late-night harborfront beats and a compact dance floor bring big-night energy to small-city Køge every Friday and Saturday.
Club El Diablo
27.4 km
Adults-only entertainment venue offering a discreet, welcoming atmosphere for private social experiences.
Haven - Events
28.8 km
Discover the electrifying nightlife at Haven, Frederiksberg's top night club, where music, dance, and fun come together for an unforgettable experience.
Falafelberg
28.9 km
Discover the pulsating nightlife of Frederiksberg at Falafelberg, a night club offering delicious falafel and electrifying music for an unforgettable experience.
Afrobeat Palace Nightclub
29.3 km
Discover the energetic Afrobeat Palace Nightclub in Copenhagen, where music, dance, and multicultural vibes unite for an unforgettable nightlife experience.
The Union
30.3 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife at The Union, Copenhagen's premier night club offering electrifying music and an unforgettable experience.
KB3
30.3 km
Discover the pulse of Copenhagen's nightlife at KB3, a lively night club in Vesterbro offering unforgettable music and vibrant experiences.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
