Vordingborg

Vordingborg: "Goose Tower"

Vordingborg, city, southern Zealand (Sjælland), Denmark, on Masned Sound. Founded in the 12th century around its castle, which was built by Valdemar I as a defense against the Wends, the town of Vordingborg became a favourite meeting place of the Danehof (national assembly), at one of whose meetings the oldest national statute was published (1241). The city was chartered in 1415. In the 14th century Valdemar IV built the curious “Goose Tower,” crowned with a golden (now copper) goose weathercock, on the grounds of his castle, which are now a botanic garden. Vordingborg’s industries include meatpacking and brick and cement manufacturing. The 18th-century manor farm of Rosenfeldt is nearby. A 2-mile (3.2-km) bridge connects Vordingborg with the island of Falster. Pop. (2008 est.) city, 9,131; (2005 est.) mun., 46,307.