Nordborg Castle – war and peace
According to Saxo Grammaticus, Denmark’s oldest historian, Nordborg Castle was founded by King Svend Grathe by the name Alsborg. Hence, it can be dated to around 1150. In its heyday, settlements arose around it and the area was called Købing, a trading place that could be accessed by water. It is also a place where both the Schleswig bishop Valdemar and King Erik Gripping were imprisoned.
Nordborg was occupied several times during the Swedish wars, first by the Swedes, then by the Brandenburgian and Polish troops and finally by Swedish troops until peace came in 1660. The castle was alternately owned by the Duchy of Schleswig and the Danish crown. In 1772, it was partially demolished, and the associated lands were subdivided. In 1909 the castle was purchased by Nordborg municipality, who leased the venue out to the German high school association in Northern Schleswig. During WW2, German troops used it as a training ground. Today, the Nordborg Lake still contains water, but the waterway has been replaced with a country road. Today, the castle serves as a boarding school for German students, and in summer, the castle is venue for the Nordals Musikfestival.
Nordborg was occupied several times during the Swedish wars, first by the Swedes, then by the Brandenburgian and Polish troops and finally by Swedish troops until peace came in 1660. The castle was alternately owned by the Duchy of Schleswig and the Danish crown. In 1772, it was partially demolished, and the associated lands were subdivided. In 1909 the castle was purchased by Nordborg municipality, who leased the venue out to the German high school association in Northern Schleswig. During WW2, German troops used it as a training ground. Today, the Nordborg Lake still contains water, but the waterway has been replaced with a country road. Today, the castle serves as a boarding school for German students, and in summer, the castle is venue for the Nordals Musikfestival.