Hindsgalv Castle on the Hindsgavl Peninsula - and a view of something special

Hindsgalv Castle on the Hindsgavl Peninsula - and a view of something special

At Middelfart you come all the way out onto the Hindsgavl peninsula, which is rich in beautiful nature, a view of the Little Belt and of course the magnificent Hindsgavl Castle.

Hindsgavl Peninsula 

Middelfart Municipality bought the land of the Hindsgavl peninsula more than 100 years ago. Today it is a unique, recreational nature area that is open to everyone. With the municipality's takeover, the traditional forestry and agricultural operations were gradually restructured to preserve and strengthen nature and cultural history, so that we can also use and experience both in the future. 

Today, Hindsgavl has developed into a sustainable nature park and wildlife sanctuary with space for everyone and respect for nature - a scenic peninsula surrounded by an undulating belt, cliffs, beaches, forests and red deer on the savannah. The peninsula hides ruins, (robber) stories, treasures and memories. The history of Denmark has left traces all the way back to the 1600th century. If you dare for a very special experience on your bike ride, stop at the old Little Belt Bridge and go Bridgewalking. 

 

Hindsgavl Castle 

The castle's dramatic history dates back to the 12th century, and the farm was taken over by the German occupying forces for a large part of World War II.

In 1830, HC Andersen visited Hindsgavl, and he was reportedly so captivated by the place that he recommended it to his friend with the following words: "... it is close behind Middelfart and at a point in the garden there, you have the most beautiful view in Funen, I think almost in Denmark." 

Today, Hindsgavl Castle is owned by the property company Realdania Byg A/S and operated as a hotel.

Hindsgavl includes a landscaped terraced park of approximately 25 hectares. The park was originally laid out as a Baroque garden with terraces, ponds and avenues around 1750. In 1814, the garden was redesigned in a romantic style with viewing platforms, gazebos, streams and basins with associated bridges. In addition, Hindsgavl's areas border the Hindsgavl Dyrehave nature park, which was inaugurated in 2009. There is free access to the old castle park and the areas around Gals Klint (Gavls Klint). 

 

Hindsgavl dagger 

The name of the castle is linked to the Hindsgavl dagger, a find from the Neolithic Age. The dagger is a Danish fairy. It is made of flint and found on Fænø in the Little Belt back in 1867. The Hindsgavl dagger is on display at the National Museum in Copenhagen in the exhibition Denmark Antiquity. The dagger adorns the Danish hundred krone banknote. 

The Hindsgavl dagger is one of the finest examples of the work of flintsmiths of the time, only 1 cm thick and 29,5 cm long. 

When the dagger was found on Fænø, the island belonged to Hindsgavl Castle (today it is privately owned). It happened that the inspector of Hindsgavl Castle was nearby when a little boy who was walking with his mother found the dagger. However, the boy only took note that he had found a beautiful stone. For one daler, the inspector bought it from the boy and passed it on to the Hindsgavl Castle estate. 

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