Prayer day and Borreby Castle

 A bit of history:

Many years ago there were many prayer days throughout the year each on for a different reason may it be a saint or a particular religion. For each one of these prayers day it was a national holiday and some people said it did not make sense to have all the prayer days so instead they made one big prayer day.  The day before this big prayer day it is tradition to walk around a park with a castle or church and then enjoy a piece of bread and a cup of tea. Every one I talked did not know why walking around a park eating bread and having tea is a must on the day before national prayer day.

 The Copenhagen Post wrote:

The Danish nation has [King] Christian V to thank for the holiday, which is celebrated on the fourth Friday after Easter, after he decided in 1686 to group together a number of Roman Catholic feast days, particularly as the country had converted to Protestantism over a century earlier. Traditions include eating a bread called varme hveder, a walk along Langelinie and lots of bell ringing.


Cx found out about an event at a near by castle on the evening before prayer day. The tourist office did not have a lot of info about this event and even after a few phone calls we were not any closer to determining what this event was all about. All we could determine was that every one we spoke to was really excited about the 'old fashion' bus ride to the castle.  But we were both very curious so we had to go.

On Thursday May 19th, After work we got on the bus and took a 30 minute ride to a town call Skælkør. The town is right next to an inlet from the ocean it was a beautiful view.

During our phone calls we found out the a hotel in Skælkør was serving dinner and had an 'old fashion' bus ride to the castle about 2 miles away. When we arrived we were served a nice dinner with bread and wine while eating dinner Cx and I determined that we were the youngest people at this dinner and on the bus ride. We did not mind both of us just wanted to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Once Cx and I arrived at the castle we were pleasantly surprised on how many people were there. We also noticed many people dressed up in Victorian era clothing. The castle was not one of those huge castles you think of but it was still impressive and well preserved.

Chancellor Johan Friis erected this castle in the year 1556, on a little islet, the renaissance castle which - with some alterations over the years -- can still be seen to-day, being one of the oldest buildings in the country. Originally BORREBY had renaissance gables. They were, however, removed - and so were the watchman's gallery in the third story along the north and south walls.  Early in the 17th century the subsequent owner built the east and the west wings of the castle as well as the gatehouse and (to the west) the cart building. All buildings mentioned are under protection. In 1783 major general J.M.H. Castenschiod took over BORREBY, and since then it has been passed on from father to son. The garden with lime tree alleys, bridges and sandstone monument is surrounded by stone fences.

While walking around the castle grounds we watched this gentleman row the little boat up and down the molt around the castle. The castle ground were well kept and some parts were kept wild while walking Cx and I saw a couple deer running through a field along with a great view of the inlet of the ocean.

We were not able to enter the castle but there was plenty of things to see and entrainment that we had plenty of fun.

Here is a video of this small band on horse back:

After crossing the castle bridge of the molt we entered the castle courtyard where we found some really nice cars on view for all to see.

Around the castle grounds we saw a many horseback riders with nice costumes. There was also a small band that played while on horses.  Other entrainment included a marching band and a small choir.

After walking around Cx and I went to get some refreshments and some bread. The problem was that the bread would arrive from the kitchen inside the castle and they would be gone in less then 30 seconds. I was so determined that we were going to get bread that we just stood there at the refreshment table until the next batch came. Some of the cute serving ladies were giggling at us since we were so determined. After waiting another four to five minutes we were able to get our bread and more wine.

After spending about two and half hours at the castle were rode our 'old fashion' bus back to Skælkør and then we rode the back to our apartments.  I am glad that I was able to participate in a Danish national holiday.

Thank you for all your love and support.