Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Møgeltønder
This little village is impossibly cute - if you could, you'd wrap it up and take it home for
your grandmother. A royal castle, one of the most beautiful main streets in Denmark, and a
church rich in frescoes are some of the gems to be found here.
Sights
Schackenborg
CASTLE
(Schackenborgvej)
On the eastern edge of the village is Schackenborg, a small castle from the late 17th cen-
tury that for the past 20 years has been home to Queen Margrethe's youngest son, Prince
Joachim, and his family. In 2014, however, Joachim and his wife, Princess Marie, an-
nounced plans to move to Copenhagen with their two small children, so the castle will be
handed over to the newly-formed Schackenborg Foundation.
You'll need to make enquiries locally (start with Tønder's tourist office) to find out
whether the castle and/or its grounds are open to the public. In previous summers there
have been popular guided tours of the castle gardens once or twice a week.
Møgeltønder Kirke
CHURCH
(
www.moegeltoender-kirke.dk
; Slotsgade 1; 8am-4pm May-Sep, 9am-4pm Oct-Apr)
At the western end of Slotsgade is Møgeltønder Kirke, its lavish interior a feast for the
senses. The Romanesque nave dates back to 1180 and the baptismal font is from 1200. The
church has had many additions, however, as the Gothic choir vaults were built during the
13th century, the tower dates from about 1500 and the chapel on the northern side was ad-
ded in 1763. The interior is rich in frescoes, gallery paintings and ceiling drawings.
You'll also find the oldest functioning church organ in Denmark, dating from 1679. The
elaborately detailed gilt altar dates from the 16th century. Note the 'countess' bower', a
balcony with private seating for the Schack family, who owned the church from 1661 until
1970.
