Fredericia (DK)

FORTE CULTURA Stop: the fortified model city of Fredericia (DK)

Fredericia – The fortified model town on the Little Belt

A City Built from Nothing – The King’s Vision

Fredericia is considered one of the most exciting fortified ideal cities Northern Europe’s: meticulously planned, strategically positioned and characterised by an extraordinary blend of military architecture, cultural diversity and royal vision. The city was founded in 1650 by King Frederick III of Denmark and Norway (1609–1670) as a mighty fortress city – at the height of a period of political uncertainty and military threat.

Fredericia was founded on what had previously been nothing but marshy wasteland. However, the site of Bersodde offered ideal conditions: a peninsula, surrounded by water on two sides, easy to fortify and perfect for supplies arriving by sea. Via 5,000 men built the kilometre-long ramparts – using nothing but muscle power. The city was known as Fortifications Planned on a European scale: with canals, a castle, stately squares and a strictly geometric layout. Many of these prestigious Baroque plans remained unfinished, but the military chessboard layout has survived to this day.

The town’s layout follows a clear grid pattern – a typical feature of early modern ideal towns. The dead-straight streets enabled soldiers to reach the ramparts quickly. Tall buildings and church towers were deliberately avoided so as not to provide enemies with any landmarks.

Fredericia – A cultural melting pot thanks to royal privileges

In 1657, King Frederick III of Sweden declared war, whereupon the Swedish army attacked Denmark with surprising speed. Fredericia was not yet fully completed, and the Swedes exploited a gap in the ramparts to capture the town and burn it to the ground.

As a result of these events, it proved difficult to find residents and staff for the fortified ‘ideal city’. The king therefore compelled the inhabitants of surrounding villages to move behind the ramparts. But that was not enough. In 1660, after the war had ended, Frederick III of Denmark therefore introduced a series of privileges for Fredericia in order to increase the population. These included tax exemptions and free building plots, exemption from customs duties, immunity from punishment for criminals and freedom of religion – which was revolutionary at the time.

The measure ultimately proved successful; the population grew, and in the fortified model city of Fredericia, Jews, Huguenots, Catholics and other religious communities from across Europe lived together peacefully. Fredericia became the Denmark’s first free city and developed into a vibrant, multicultural centre.

On 6 July 1849, the fortified model town of Fredericia became the scene of a decisive battle in the Schleswig-Holstein War, also known as Cancellation from Fredericia is well known. A surprise counter-attack brought an end to the siege of Fredericia by the Schleswig-Holstein army and marked a turning point in the war. The successful defence of the town is still commemorated every year during the Fortress Days celebrated.

Discover the fortified model city of Fredericia with FORTE CULTURA

Today, the Fredericia is one of the the best-preserved fortifications in Northern Europe. Discover the fortified ‘ideal city’ of Fredericia with FORTE CULTURA, for example:

• that Fredericia Museum,
• the five city gates,
• the White Water Tower with a magnificent view over the city and the sea,
• the Princess Bastion with old cannons,
• that Lunding’s Monument,
• Playgrounds, footpaths and boardwalks,
• just a stone's throw from the beach and the old town with cafés and shops.

Hiking in harmony with nature and history

The ramparts encircling the fortified model city of Fredericia form part of Denmark’s largest nature park – the Lillebælt Nature Park. They form a green belt comprising a network of paths stretching over 18 kilometres along moats and bastions. This makes Fredericia, with its ramparts, one of the largest and probably most spectacular city parks in Denmark.