Hesselager: Trails, Renaissance and Damestenen

For those of you who want to combine open landscapes, cultural and historical impressions and distinctive natural experiences on a trip, Hesselager’s Green Thread offers several specific points of interest. The route follows the Stokkebækken through a section of woodland and offers views across open fields as well as towards the Great Belt. Along the way, there are also QR codes providing access to cultural and historical stories. The route alternates between the woodland section and open views across the fields. This makes Hesselager particularly accessible through its combination of landscape experiences and history.

Renaissance History around Hesselagergård

An important historical point of reference is Hesselagergård. The main building is a detached Renaissance house built between 1538 and 1550 for Chancellor Johann Friis. Hesselagergård was first mentioned in 1231 in the land register of King Valdemar the Victorious. The early mention and the later construction date thus establish two historically separate points of reference for Hesselagergård. The documented history of the site therefore reaches far back and gives the architecture a clear historical framework.

The estate itself also has distinctive architectural features: The main building and the farm buildings at Hesselagergård stood on separate elevations surrounded by moats. A narrow drawbridge was located between the two elevations. Hesselagergård can only be viewed from the outside; access is possible by appointment only. This information is important for your planning if you would like to include the Renaissance building in your trip.

Hesselager Church and the Hesselagertæppet

Hesselager Church is originally a Romanesque church. The oldest part is a Romanesque nave made of fieldstones on a granite base. The Hesselagertæppet, an embroidered wall hanging, is displayed in the entrance porch. The Hesselagertæppet depicts more than 1,000 years of local and national history. In Hesselager, those interested in culture will therefore find clear links to Romanesque architectural history and the textile depiction of historical themes.

Damestenen and the Geopark

One of the area’s outstanding natural attractions is Damestenen. The erratic boulder is the largest erratic boulder in mainland Denmark and part of the Geopark of the South Funen Archipelago. Damestenen is publicly accessible in Hesselager Parish. From Hesselager, signs point the way to Damestenen. The boulder therefore provides a distinct natural-history focus alongside the church and Renaissance building. As part of the geopark, Damestenen is also situated within a natural-history context.

Hesselagergård, Hesselager Church and Damestenen each provide their own clear focal points. Hesselager’s Green Thread complements this picture with the woodland section along the Stokkebækken, open fields and views of the Great Belt.

Further Places for Regional Orientation

If you would like to compare Hesselager with other places in your travel selection, you can find Vejstrup, Lundby, Bjerreby, Svendborg, Gudme, Thurø By, Troense and Vemmenæs here.

For the overarching travel overview: Svendborg Municipality.