The Ramparts of Fredericia are among Northern Europe's oldest and most well-preserved fortifications and a delight to explore.
When the town of Fredericia was established by King Frederick VI during the seventeenth century to defend the Jutland peninsula it was protected by a rampart on three sides. It was not considered necessary to extend the fortifications along the fourth side, the shore of the Lillebælt strait. Cattle grazed in the meadows beyond the fortifications but were kept in the urban farms overnight. Today it is a very different story. The army has left and the urban farms have found different uses. All that remains are the double doors that led into the large courtyards beyond. These now form a distinctive characteristic of the old town. But the old town is only part of Fredericia’s story. The ramparts remain but have become the green parks of the town and the whole shoreline is now a part of the Lillebælt Nature Park, the largest nature park in Denmark.
Fredericia inside the Lillebælt Marine Nature Park
Lillebælt Marine Nature Park incorporates the entire shoreline of Fredericia which stretches along the narrow Lillebælt Strait. This park has been established to find the best balance between the use of local resources and their protection. Partnerships have been established with local businesses to improve the environment around Lillebælt. Initiatives include the sale of stuffed porpoises to raise money for the Porpoise Fund. The largest population of porpoises in the world inhabits the strait and are a common sight when strolling by its waters or bridge walking over the them. Other initiatives include creating a better under water eco system by establishing fish nurseries around the harbour and the collection of rubbish to keep the area litter free. Locals and visitors to the area are encouraged to become involved in these ongoing projects. Information boards have been established around the harbour area and there is also a viewing area to scan the waters for porpoises.
A lovely coastal path starts in the harbour and hugs the shoreline around the town of Fredericia. Benches along the way offer opportunities to pause and enjoy the view across the water to the island of Funen. The path runs alongside the beautiful Østerstrand Beach passing a circular bathing jetty, a café, an information centre and the Mermaid Flutes. These flutes are the world’s first bathing facility for the blind and although originally intended for use by the visually impaired and blind it can be used by anyone seeking a safe place to swim. There are various access points along this path that lead onto the ramparts that surround Fredericia.
The Ramparts of Fredericia
Originally the seventeenth century fortress consisted of the King's and Denmark Bastions. During the eighteenth century the Holstein, Schleswig and the Princess' Bastions were added. In the 1860s the fortress was further extended by the addition of the Prince Georg's, Prince Christian's and The Queen's Bastions. The fortress closed down at the beginning of the twentieth century and the Municipality of Frederica bought the land occupied by the rampart in 1914. Plans were made to convert the rampart into a town park at the same time preserving the fortifications as a memorial to the history of the town. Today sixteen kilometres of paths, stairways and earth works have been incorporated into a town park known as The Ramparts. The moats around the bastions have been preserved as have the maple trees and hawthorns (the barbed wire of time).
The Water Tower is the only civil building on The Ramparts. This white tower at Prince George’s Bastion was built in 19008 to satisfy a growing need for water in the town. Today it is possible to climb to the top of the tower to enjoy the panorama of the town, The Ramparts and the Lillebælt Strait beyond. There is a small museum on the ground floor of the tower. Another feature of The Ramparts are the gates, originally built to enable access through the ramparts to the town.
The Gates of Fredericia
When Fredericia was founded in 1650 the only access to the town was through the gates in its rampart. In those days the gates were built of wood and drawbridges were lowered for crossing the moat. None of the original gate buildings have survived. Prinsens Port (Prince's Gate) is the oldest gate building existing today. This brick gate replaced the wooden gate building in 1753.
Until 1925 Prinsens Port was the main entrance to the town. A role originally intended for one of the three original gates, Kongens Port (King’s Gate) now a passage in the northeast corner of the Ramparts. By 1920 the volume of traffic coming into the town demanded a solution and an old military sally-port was demolished to make way for the Nørreport (Northern Gate) which was built in 1925.
Nørreport did not relieve the problems created by the growing traffic so it was decided to extend Danmaksgade and make a new approach road and gate into the city. Danmarksport (Denmark's Gate) cuts through the ramparts at an angle creating a better alignment with Danmaksgade. It opened in 1926. Both Nørreport and Danmarksport are the work of Oscar Gundlach-Pedersen and reflect the Neoclassic style. Entrance through these gates brings the visitor into the old town of Fredericia.
The Old Town of Fredericia
Fredericia was originally created as a garrison town although, when it was built in 1650 there were no barracks just a collection of basic sheds and shacks. King Christian V arranged an exchange with the citizens whereby they got access to these buildings in return for providing accommodation for soldiers in their own homes. Soldiers’ rooms were an arrangement that continued until the 1930s when they were replaced by the first proper barracks. There are still barracks in the town although many have been converted to other uses . The Bülow Barracks have been re-invented as the Cultural Barracks where the local history archives are housed and a variety of events take place. The oldest military building here is the Gammel Hovedvagt (Main Guard). Originally built with a timber frame it was replaced by the current building in 1735. It was used as a gatehouse by the military until 1934 and is still the property of the Ministry of Defence. Opposite this building is the iconic statue of the Valiant Private Soldier.
The Valiant Soldier, a bronze statue, commemorates the Danish victory over the Schleswig-Holsteiner at Fredericia on July the 6th 1849. It replicates a common Danish soldier in full uniform. It was created by H W Bissen and placed on a circular lawn close to the Prinsens Port in 1858. The common contemporary private soldier has proved to be a popular choice for this monument which is also referred to as the Danish Common Soldier or The Valiant Private Soldier. It was the first time a private, unknown soldier rather than the commander-in-chief was the subject of a victory celebration. There are several more traditional victory monuments in the town. Bissen also depicted the common private soldier on the Soldier’s Grave, a monument to the soldiers who died during the battles of 1849. It is in Kongensgade by the Trinitatis Churchyard. Nearby is the oldest house in Fredericia.
Also, on Kongensgade is Nordstjernen (the North Star) the oldest house in Fredericia. It was built in 1650 the same year King Frederik III founded the town. In those days Kongensgade was the most fashionable street in the town. The property was in ruins when it was bought by the architect Morten Røjel in 1975. It took ten years and a total renovation to restore this house to its original state. Other buildings of interest include the churches which reflect Fredericia’s place in history as the first free town.
When the fortress of Fredericia was built it was literally in the middle of a field. It needed the support and supplies of farmers, craftsmen and other workers. The king decreed forty families from the nearest villages must move inside the ramparts. But that was not enough so the king granted the town religious freedom, some special privileges and economic advantages. Jews, Catholics and Reformed Christians came to the town but only the latter stayed in any significant numbers and they are still here. Here by royal invitation and granted special privileges they did very well in their new home as a result of their agricultural skills. Their simple church, consecrated in 1736, still stands on Dronningensgade.
Once a permanent garrison came to Fredericia in 1679 and the soldier had money in their pockets a foundation for commerce was established in the new town and a natural growth was generated. And by 1735 all kinds of trades were established in the town. Agriculture continued to dominate it dwindled in importance during the nineteenth century with the arrival of the industrial revolution and a shift to the production of iron, sugar, textiles, silver, tobacco and spirits. Some of the old factories can still be seen in the town.
Development of the harbour began at the beginning of the nineteenth century and from the 1850s boasted a boat harbour, a shipyard and other industrial facilities which attracted large merchant ships. This increasing prosperity of the town is manifested in its magnificent town hall. This building, considered to me on of Meldahl’s best works in Jutland, is fusion of medieval northern Italy and Byzantine. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the railway had arrived here and with opening of the Lillebælt railway bridge Fredericia was soon to become the most important traffic junction on the new national railway network. Today, ease of access and a fascinating mix of history and nature has resulted in Fredericia becoming one of the most popular towns to visit in the area known as The Triangle.
For more information about Fredericia click here and to learn more about Lillebælt Marine Nature Park click here
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Getting There
British Airways (Heathrow) and Ryanair (Stanstead) have regular flights to Billund. A good public bus and train service operates from Billund to Fredericia.
Where to Stay
Hotel Kryb i Ly Kro an historic inn is on the main road between Fredericia and Kolding. This charmingly renovated manor house is conveniently situated for visitors to The Triangle looking for a good base to explore the towns and attractions of the region. The hotel has individually furnished comfortable rooms and suites, a restaurant that offers classic regional dishes and a good breakfast. Other facilities include a large car park, an indoor swimming pool, cosy lounges and free WiFi.
Valery Collins is the Experienced Traveller . An excellent raconteur, Valery has been writing about her experiences on the road since she started travelling 28 years ago. After publishing four books she turned to online travel writing and now contributes to several different websites.