Christiansfeld
Christiansfeld is a small idyllic town with just under 3,000 inhabitants, located in Southern Jutland between Haderslev and Kolding. The town has an interesting history, since 1773, at the request of Christian VII, it became the Danish centre of the Christian movement, the Herrnhutische Brødremenighed. The movement emphasises the emotional relationship with Jesus.
The Church of the Brethren in Christiansfeld was founded in 1776. The church can accommodate up to 1000 people and a service is held every Sunday where everyone is welcome. The church building is very beautiful, built in yellow stone and with a black glazed tiled roof. The large church hall is characterised by it's simplicity. Almost everything in the hall is white, white walls, white pews and sanded floors, the only thing that stands out are the hand-forged chandeliers. There is no altar in the church, but a liturgical table from which the service is led.
Another notable building in the town is the Brethrenmen's Hotel, built in 1773. It was originally located outside the town, as people who were not members of the Brethren Congregation were not allowed to stay overnight in the town.
Christiansfeld was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. The UNESCO World Heritage List is a list of buildings, monuments and natural sites in all parts of the world that UNESCO has designated as part of the world's cultural heritage. Christiansfeld was already designated as "particularly worthy of conservation" in 1975, the European Year of Conservation. The houses in the town are built of strong yellow Flensburg stone and the woodwork in the houses is first-class craftsmanship.
You can't say Christiansfeld without thinking of gingerbread. Honey cakes have been part of Christiansfeld's history almost as long as the Brethren Church. It has been a great commodity for which the town was known for both at home and abroad. Today there are 2 honey cake bakeries in the town, Honningkagehuset and Brødremenighedens Honningkagebakeri. In Brødremenighedens Honningkagebakeri honey cakes have been baked since 1799 and today in the workshop in Christiansfeld, besides honey cakes, also chocolate of the highest quality is produced and perhaps you have seen the name, Xocolatl. Xocolatl has won many national and international awards. Both for honey cakes and chocolates. If you are visiting Christiansfeld, don't miss a visit to Xocolatl.
If you want to go out in the nature, Christinero is the place to go, located in a wooded area just outside Christiansfeld. Here you can walk at your own pace and enjoy the gardens founded by the chamberlain Christina Friderica von Holstein (1741-1812) of the Holstein nobility. The gardens cover around 2 hectares and were laid out as a romantic garden at the end of the 18th century. Christina Friederica von Holstein called the garden "My Thoughts", but after her death it was renamed Christinero. The original gardens included summer houses, two hermitages with dolls, a chapel, a cookhouse, a sawmill, and small lakes with spring pools, fountains and canals. Christina Friederica von Holstein is buried in her garden, on the mound in front of the chapel.
About 11 km from Christiansfeld lies Skamlingsbanken, a symbol of the struggle for Danish and the language in the South Jutland border region. At 113 metres above sea level, Skamlingsbanken is the highest point in Southern Jutland. Skamlingsbanken is a beautiful natural area with fantastic views. Take a break at the top and enjoy the view over the area between Kolding and Christiansfeld, the view over the Lillebælt and far to the west into Southern Jutland.
Take the perfect self-drive holiday to Southern Jutland and experience the world heritage, atmosphere and history that make a visit to Christiansfeld a very special experience.
