Køge

Population: 35 000 (57 000)
Tallest building: Skt Nikolai Kirke
Founded: 12th century
Province: Zealand
Area: 255.47 km²
Year visited: July 2010

Køge is a small city about 40min by S-train south of Copenhagen, situated at Køge Bay on East Sjaelland (Zealand). It is a former market town has has a wellkept city center with large collection of historic half timbered houses. There are many half-timbered houses and many of the houses are so old so they are leaning. Køge has a harbour with ferry connections with Bornholm. There are no large roads in the center and a charmy thing is that many places have the name "Køge" in it that makes it look even more small scale, despite it once was one of Denmark's largest and most important cities.

Nørregade, the main pedestrian street. Køge is an old market town, founded in 1288. In 1807 the battle of Køge took place, a battle between British and Danish troops.

Bikes are popular in Denmark.

Around the Main Square (Torvet):

The main square, Torvet, is the largest square  in Denmark outside Copenhagen. Denmark’s oldest acting town hall is here. It is a reminder of the time when Køge was a markettown.

Torvet is the best preserved medieval town square in Denmark.

The casino at the town square.

The statue of King Frederik VII at Køge’s large main square.

Kirkestraede (Church Street) seen from the square towards St Nicholas church.

Skt Nicolai kirke, or Køge kirke.

Skt Nicolai Kirke, the historic landmark of Køge.

The church was built in the 15th century and contains the first lighthouse to be built in Denmark.

Køge museum.

The small half-timbered house to the left is not only Køge’s oldest dated house, it is also Denmark’s oldest half-timbered house! It was built in 1527.

There are many strange sculptures in the city.

This sculpture has became a symbol for Køge, you can buy sculptures of it inside the museum.

KOS, Museum for art in public spaces (left).

Inside the museum.

The modern art museum, Museum for art in public spaces.

There are many sculptures in Køge. This one is in the modern part, near the railway station.

Køge Apotek.

One of many leaning half-timbered houses in Køgem this one hosts a crafts store.

A bohemic courtyard in the town center.

Outside the city center:

Køge å flows through the city.

Note the swans!

Looking towards the city center.

The creek Køge å is very picturesque.

Køge water tower.

Kiøge bro.

The harbour:

There are many pubs in the small harbour, that has ferry connections to the small Danish island Bornholm.

Køge harbour.

Outkirts:

Ølby (a suburb of Køge) means “beer town”. The wet windows have nothing to do with it. Cheers!