The Cultural and Historical Landscape in the Roskilde, Lejre and Hvalsø area, Denmark

What makes this area special are the very visible and important cultural traces and the cultural environment in the countryside. It gives this landscape national importance. There is an unusually attractive synergy between countryside, forest, land, town and water, as well as a tradition of cultural and historical presentation which already exists in this area.

The interaction between nature and man, from way back in the Ice Age, through the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, to the Viking period, is unique. The area around Roskilde has been very well preserved and visible traces exist in the countryside and the towns from every decade from the time of the Vikings right up to the present day.

In addition there is Roskilde Cathedral, which is on the World Heritage List and has been the resting place for Danish sovereigns since Margrethe I, over 600 years ago.

In an area of dynamic development, the project contributes substantially to conserving as well as to developing the characteristic nature and well-preserved of this area’s vibrant cultural history. The project is a model example of how contemporary development can go hand in hand with nature and cultural history.

The project builds on an exemplary organisational concept with close co-operation between the authorities, organisations and citizens, characterised by extensive private and voluntary efforts.