Esrum Abbey and Mill in North Zealand, Denmark
Once home to Cistercian monks, Esrum Abbey in North Zealand, Denmark is today a museum, cultural and nature centre and home to a popular Medieval Fair.
Today all that remains of Esrum Kloster, or Abbey, is a single red brick building located in the peaceful surroundings of Esrum Lake near Helsingør in North Zealand. This austere building was once part of a thriving and powerful spiritual centre, one of the largest of its kind in Scandinavia and home to the Cistercian order of monks.
The History of Esrum Abbey
The Abbey at Esrum was founded in 1153 by Archbishop Eskil. The Archbishop is an important figure in Danish history who was renowned for his fierceness in battle even in his old age. In his capacity as the head of the church in Denmark, he often visited Europe, where he b...