Søborg Castle

Facts

Castle in the lake

By Vivian Etting, Museumsinspektør og seniorforsker på Nationalmuseet (28 stories)

Today, Søborg royal castle is in ruins. In the Middle Ages, it was a large castle complex with an outer wall was built on the one of three islets in Søborg Lake. The lake has now dried up, which has changed the original appearance of the area. Archbishop Eskil built the castle in the 12th century, but it was soon taken over by the Crown. Excavations have uncovered the remains of an old octagonal tower, a distinguished main building and a small round church. Over the years, the castle was expanded with several building around the castle courtyard. Parts of a churchyard and three tile kilns were found on the central islet. The large double embankment protected access to the castle complex from the town of Søborg.

Public place

Selected entry

Dungeon is Grand home

Story written by Vivian Etting

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Søborg was used as a state prison for several periods. Its most famous prisoner was Archbishop Jens Grand, who was an inmate at Søborg in 1294-95 because he was suspected of treason against King Erik Menved. A chronicle from that time describes the disgusting dungeon where the archbishop sat chained to a block. He rejected the King's terms and was supported by the Pope, who threatened the King with excommunication. Finally, Jens Grand managed to escape with the help of his faithful servant Morten Madsvend. First, he travelled to Hammershus, his castle on Bornholm, before continuing on to Rome.