Gjorslev Castle (Gjorslev Gods)

One of Denmark’s oldest inhabited medieval castles, Gjorslev combines Gothic stonework, moats and beech forest walks in a quietly atmospheric manor landscape.

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Gjorslev Castle is one of Denmark’s most evocative medieval estates, a cruciform Gothic fortress set amid woods, fields and wetlands on the Stevns Peninsula. Built around 1400 for the Bishop of Roskilde and still inhabited today, it pairs massive limestone and brick walls, moats and a 30‑metre tower with a tranquil manor landscape, beech forest and rich birdlife. Concerts, guided tours and seasonal events bring life to this otherwise quietly dignified stronghold.

A brief summary to Gjorslev

Gjorslevvej 20C Holtug, Gjorslevvej, Store Heddinge, 4660, DK
+4556500101
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Check in advance for guided tour dates or public events if you want access beyond the outer courtyards and grounds, as the castle remains a private residence.
Pair your visit with a walk in Gjorslev Beech Forest and around Møllesøen for birdwatching and prehistoric burial mounds in the wider estate landscape.
Wear sturdy shoes; paths around the castle, fields and forest can be uneven or muddy after rain, especially near the moats and lakes.
Bring snacks or plan a meal stop in nearby Store Heddinge or at seasonal eateries linked to the estate, as on-site options vary through the year.

Getting There

Regional train and bus from Copenhagen

From central Copenhagen, take a regional train towards Køge and onward to Store Heddinge; the full rail journey typically takes 1–1.5 hours. From Store Heddinge station, board a local bus serving the Holtug and Gjorslev area, with combined travel time of about 20–30 minutes depending on the connection. Expect total journey times of around 1.5–2 hours one way. Standard adult fares for the whole public-transport trip are usually in the range of 80–140 DKK each way, depending on ticket type and zones. Services run regularly on weekdays but can be less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so it is worth checking the timetable in advance.
Car from Copenhagen and Køge

Driving from central Copenhagen to Gjorslev typically takes about 50–70 minutes, depending on traffic, following major routes south via Køge and then local roads across the Stevns Peninsula. From Køge itself, the journey is usually 25–35 minutes. There is usually informal parking space near the estate buildings or verges, but capacity can be limited during larger events and wet weather can make unpaved areas soft. Fuel and toll costs are modest and there are no special access fees for the manor area, but always respect private signs and closures around the main residence.
Cycling from Store Heddinge

From Store Heddinge town, cyclists can reach Gjorslev by following quiet country roads across gently undulating farmland, typically taking 20–30 minutes at a moderate pace. The terrain is mostly easy, with a few mild inclines and exposure to wind on open stretches. Surfaces are a mix of asphalt and well-compacted lanes, generally suitable for standard touring or city bikes. There is no dedicated cycle parking infrastructure at the castle itself, so bring a lock and be prepared to secure the bike to a suitable rail or fence away from private entrances.

Gjorslev location weather suitability

Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures
Cold Weather
Any Weather

Discover more about Gjorslev

A medieval stronghold on the Stevns Peninsula

Gjorslev Castle rises over flat Zealand farmland like something from an illuminated manuscript. Around 40 kilometres south of Copenhagen, it occupies a gentle rise framed by lakes, reed beds and carefully managed fields. The first impression is of mass and symmetry: a cruciform main building in warm brick and pale limestone, ringed by water-filled moats that still underline its defensive origins. Built around 1400 for Peder Jensen Lodehat, Bishop of Roskilde, Gjorslev was conceived as both a power statement and a working centre of a large ecclesiastical estate. Its position near the coast gave access to trade routes, while the fertile hinterland ensured agricultural wealth. Unlike many castles that became romantic ruins, Gjorslev has remained an inhabited manor, its life as an active estate continuing into the present day.

Gothic stonework and baroque refinements

Architecturally, Gjorslev is one of Denmark’s clearest examples of secular Gothic design. The cruciform plan gives the castle its distinctive silhouette when seen from the surrounding lanes or from across the moat. Limestone from the nearby Stevns cliffs is combined with large medieval bricks, creating a tactile patchwork of textures that shifts colour in different light. At the centre, a nearly 30‑metre tower stacks seven storeys above a vaulted cellar, once the discreet entrance point for visitors approaching by drawbridge. Later baroque remodelling softened the fortress feel: a new main entrance was carved into the eastern arm, the former chapel was removed, and an elegant staircase and façade were added. Yet from many angles the building still reads as a compact, defensive block, its arrow-slit windows and steep roofs recalling a more unsettled age.

From bishops’ seat to working manor

Gjorslev’s story mirrors the broader history of Denmark. After serving as a residence for Roskilde’s bishops, the estate was confiscated during the Reformation and later passed through noble families and the Crown. Each era left small marks: a new wing here, a redesigned interior there, or changes to how the surrounding land was farmed and managed. Today the castle functions as the heart of a modern estate, combining agriculture, forestry and events. Parts of the grounds host concerts, cultural gatherings and occasional guided tours, which open selected interiors and courtyards to visitors. It remains a private home, so access to the main building is restricted and often tied to organised visits, but the lived-in quality is part of its appeal: this is not a frozen monument, but a place that has never stopped working.

Forests, birdlife and burial mounds

The broader Gjorslev estate encompasses Gjorslev Beech Forest, a broadleaf woodland that runs down towards Køge Bay. Here, beech trunks rise in clean columns and spring light filters green across forest paths. Within the trees lies Møllesøen, a small lake with a rich birdlife and an observation tower that looks out over reeds and waterfowl, making the area rewarding for quiet nature walks and birdwatching. Scattered through the forest are dozens of prehistoric burial mounds, including Fruehøj, a remarkably long barrow that stretches over 50 metres. Their low, grassed-over forms remind you that this landscape has been valued and settled for thousands of years before the castle’s walls were raised. The combination of medieval architecture, manor parkland, forest and ancient monuments gives Gjorslev a layered, almost timeless atmosphere.

Experiencing Gjorslev today

A visit to Gjorslev is as much about atmosphere as about specific sights. Approaching along the estate road, you see the castle slowly emerge over fields, its reflection flickering in the moat. The rhythms are unhurried: a stroll around the outer grounds, pauses to admire the stonework and tower, perhaps a walk or cycle on local trails linking the estate with the nearby beech forest and coast. When events or guided tours are scheduled, they offer a glimpse beyond the façades and into halls that mix historic details with everyday life. Even without interior access, the ensemble of castle, farm buildings, avenues of trees and open sky captures a distinctive corner of South Zealand – a place where ecclesiastical power, noble ambition and rural landscapes converge in one quietly compelling scene.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Vallø Slotskro

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Comwell Køge Strand

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“Slaget i Køge Bugt”

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Mindesmærke for slagene i Køge Bugt

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Harbourfront monument where stone, sea breeze and maritime symbols keep the naval battles of Køge Bugt and their admirals alive on Køge’s working waterfront.

Køge St.

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Experience Skagen’s iconic Det Grå Fyr, an elegant lighthouse offering breathtaking views, unique birdwatching, and local culture at Denmark’s northernmost edge.

Befrielsessten i Køge

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A solemn memorial to Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation, standing in Køge's historic market square.

Køge Torv

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Denmark's largest medieval town square, where seven centuries of history unfold on cobblestones.

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Køge Nord

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Månemor af Thomas Dambo

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BonBon-Land

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CWGC Krigsgrave, CWGC Graves

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Scandinavia's largest cemetery: a 54-hectare landscape of history, architecture, and remembrance in Copenhagen.

Unmissable attractions to see

Køge Sønakke

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Stevns Kridtbrud

5.3 km

A raw chalk quarry on the Stevns peninsula, where bright white walls, industrial cuts and coastal light reveal the geology that underpins the Stevns Klint landscape.

Stevns Lighthouse

8.6 km

Historic lighthouse on the edge of Stevns Klint, blending maritime heritage with wide Baltic Sea views and windswept chalk‑cliff scenery near Store Heddinge.

Højerup Kirke

9.3 km

Cliff-edge medieval church above Stevns Klint, where a vanished choir, Baltic sea views and centuries of coastal history meet in one dramatic stop.

Højerup old church

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Experience the harmony of nature and history in Solgårdsparken—a scenic public park on the Køge coast, perfect for peaceful walks, family outings, and cultural events.

Stevns Klint UNESCO World Heritage

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A dramatic chalk coastline where a thin dark line in the cliff records the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs, framed by seaside paths, a cliff‑top church and Cold War tunnels.

Cold war museum Stevnsfort

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Stevns Klint Experience

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Boesdal Kalkbrud

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Rødvig Beach

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SEBG Badebro - Strandparksvej

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Solgårdparken

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Solgårdsparken

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Mindesten for greve Christian Moltke

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Essential places to dine

Café Bliss

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Cafe Skov & Strand

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Mad & Ro

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Restaurant Kulhuset

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Pakhuset Braunstein

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Limone

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Bossa Nova

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Elverhøi

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Rib House Køge

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Skippers Dreng

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Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant & Take Away

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Authentic Thai cuisine with generous portions on Køge harbour—casual, friendly, and excellent value.

Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant & Take Away

Jenners Dockside

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Siesta Prime Grill

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Bone's Køge

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Halifax Burgers Køge

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Essential bars & hidden hideouts

The Old Irish Pub

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Ibsens Pub & Vinbar

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Vinbaren Køge

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Bodega Slap A

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Grillen

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RICHTERs Ølstue

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Café Asti

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Ellemarkens Bodega Drøvlen

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MC 19 Køge

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Bykroen

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Sussis Bodega ApS

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Charlie Chaplin

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Vinbaren Muicon

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Musicon Mikrobryggeri

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Gjorslev Castle (Gjorslev Gods)

A brief summary to Gjorslev

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Regional train and bus from Copenhagen

Car from Copenhagen and Køge

Cycling from Store Heddinge

Gjorslev location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Gjorslev

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Gjorslev

A medieval stronghold on the Stevns Peninsula

Gothic stonework and baroque refinements

From bishops’ seat to working manor

Forests, birdlife and burial mounds

Experiencing Gjorslev today

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Vallø Slotskro

Comwell Køge Strand

“Slaget i Køge Bugt”

Mindesmærke for slagene i Køge Bugt

Køge St.

Befrielsessten i Køge

Køge Torv

VisitKøges selvbetjente turistbureau

Visit

Køge Nord

Månemor af Thomas Dambo

BonBon-Land

Ulvshale

Nyord

CWGC Krigsgrave, CWGC Graves

Unmissable attractions to see

Køge Sønakke

Stevns Kridtbrud

Stevns Lighthouse

Højerup Kirke

Højerup old church

Stevns Klint UNESCO World Heritage

Cold war museum Stevnsfort

Stevns Klint Experience

Boesdal Kalkbrud

Rødvig Beach

SEBG Badebro - Strandparksvej

Solgårdparken

Solgårdsparken

Mindesten for greve Christian Moltke

Vallø Castle

Essential places to dine

Café Bliss

Cafe Skov & Strand

Mad & Ro

Restaurant Kulhuset

Pakhuset Braunstein

Limone

Bossa Nova

Elverhøi

Rib House Køge

Skippers Dreng

Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant & Take Away

Jenners Dockside

Siesta Prime Grill

Bone's Køge

Halifax Burgers Køge

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

My Apartment Køge

VILA

NORMAL Køge, Strædet

Strædet Køge

Kings & Queens Køge

JACK & JONES

Den Blå Dør

Miss O

Zizzi - Køge

Pioneer V/søren Marsner Hansen

Uldahl

køge butikker brogade