Gjorslev
Gothic cruciform castle built about 1400 by the Bishop of Roskilde.
Gjorslev, a medieval castle built in a cruciform layout, sits about 17 kilometers southeast of Køge on the Stevns Peninsula in Stevns Municipality, roughly 40 kilometers south of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is widely regarded as one of Denmark’s best-preserved examples of Gothic secular architecture and was originally held by the Bishop of Roskilde.
Bishop Peder Jensen Lodehat of Roskilde constructed Gjorslev around 1400. The bishops kept control until the Reformation, when the crown confiscated it in 1536. Sold in 1540, it passed through various owners until 1678, when it returned to royal hands. In 1743, Christen Lindencrone bought the estate. He had amassed his wealth as a supercargo on Danish Asiatic Company ships, and in 1755 he was ennobled as Lindencrone. He also built his own mansion at Bredgade 26 in Copenhagen, using limestone from his Stevns estate for its construction. After his death, his son Johan Frederik Lindencrone inherited Gjorslev. Jacob Brønnum Scavenius purchased the estate in 1793. Following his death, his widow managed it for five years. In 1825, their son Peder Brønnum Scavenius took over. Later, his son Jacob Frederik Brønnum Scavenius held it until 1915, then his grandson Frederik Scavenius from 1915 to 1922. Adolph Tesdorpf bought the estate in 1925, and it has stayed in the Tesdorpf family ever since. In January 2018, Peter Henrik Tesdorpf sold Gjorslev to his son Jens Edward Tesdorpf. Milk production on the estate ended in 2020–21.
The castle is surrounded by moats and built in a Gothic style with a cruciform plan. Local limestone from the Cliffs of Stevns and large bricks known as Danish "monk stones" were used. The central tower stands just under 30 meters tall with seven storeys. The south arm of the cross is slightly longer than the other three. A lower north wing was added in 1638. Originally, the main entrance was through the cellar from an opening below the bishop’s chapel on the east side of the southern cross arm. A flight of stairs led from the vaulted cellar under the tower to the domed hall on the ground floor. Between 1665 and 1676, Ewert Janssen changed this layout. The chapel was removed, the entrance was moved to the eastern cross arm, which received a new facade and a Baroque internal staircase.
Quick Facts
- Architectural Style
- Gothic, Baroque
- Location
- Stevns Municipality
- Client
- Peder Jensen Lodehat
- Location Country
- Denmark
- Construction Start Date
- 1400
- Completion Date
- 1588
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Gjorslev was built in about 1400 by Peder Jensen Lodehat, Bishop of Roskilde. It remained in the possession of the Roskilde bishops until the Reformation, which led to its confiscation in 1536. It was sold in 1540 and then passed through changing owners until 1678, when it came under the Crown once again. In 1743, Christen Lindencrone purchased the estate; he had made a fortune as a supercargo on ships owned by the Danish Asiatic Company. In 1755, he was raised to the peerage under the name Lindencrone. The estate passed to his son Johan Frederik Lindencrone after his death. In 1793, Jacob Brønnum Scavenius purchased the estate. His widow kept it for five years after her husband's death, and in 1825 it passed to their son Peder Brønnum Scavenius.
Reader's Guide
Gjorslev is significant as one of the most well-preserved examples of Gothic secular architecture in Denmark. Its cruciform design, central tower just under 30 m tall with seven storeys, and combination of local limestone from the Cliffs of Stevns with large bricks (Danish 'monk stones') illustrate medieval building techniques. The castle's history reflects broader Danish historical currents: its origin as a bishop's residence, confiscation during the Reformation, and later ownership by prominent families such as the Lindencrone, Scavenius, and Tesdorpf families. Architectural modifications over centuries—including a lower north wing added in 1638, Baroque alterations by Ewert Janssen between 1665 and 1676, roof adaptations in 1748, and a long south wing added in 1843—show its evolution. The estate includes Gjorslev Beech Forest, which contains a small lake, Møllesøen, an observation tower, and 55 burial mounds, the longest being Fruehøj at 51 metres. The castle stands at the end of a street known as 'Broad Street,' lined by red timbered farm buildings from 1713.
Did You Know?
- Gjorslev is built to a cruciform design in the Gothic style, with a central tower just under 30 m tall and seven storeys.
- Gjorslev Beech Forest contains 55 burial mounds, of which the longest, Fruehøj, is 51 metres long.
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