Haslev is a station town on South Zealand in Faxe Municipality.
The city, located in Region Zealand, has 11,973 inhabitants (2020).
Haslev is located 60 kilometers southwest of Copenhagen, 20
kilometers southeast of Ringsted, 23 kilometers southwest of Køge
and 25 kilometers northeast of Næstved. The city is one of the
largest non-market towns in Denmark, as it has never had market town
status. Haslev is Faxe Municipality's largest city, and Faxe
Municipality's town hall is located in Haslev.
On Haslev's
main street, Jernbanegade, you will find shops on the stretch from
Haslev Church to the station. In Vestergade and on Torvet there are
also a number of shops. Faxe Municipality's main library is also
located in the city: Haslev Library (former name Haslev Public
Library).
Gisselfeld Castle and Park
One of Haslev's premier attractions is
Gisselfeld, a Renaissance-style castle and expansive park estate that
traces its roots back to the late 14th century, initially owned by
figures like Bo Falk and later developed into its current form by
statesman Peder Oxe between 1547 and 1575. The castle itself is a
striking three-storey red-brick structure with thick defensive walls,
loopholes for archers, stepped gables, and a prominent projecting gate
tower, originally including a moat on three sides and a now-demolished
chapel wing. Over the centuries, ownership shifted through noble
families, including the Lykke and Knuth lines, before becoming a convent
in 1755 under the Danneskiold-Samsøe family, who still manage it today.
The estate spans 3,850 hectares, encompassing forests, lakes, and hills,
with notable features like a scenic waterfall, a greenhouse, formal
gardens, and a fountain adorned with water-spouting frogs. Wildlife
thrives here, though organic farming practices ended in 1996, shifting
focus to logging and hunting leases. A modern highlight is the 45-meter
hyperboloid observation tower in the forest, offering panoramic views of
the surrounding landscape. For tourists, the park is a serene spot for
walks, picnics, and photography, emphasizing the estate's historical
role in Danish nobility and architecture.
Visitors can explore the
grounds, which include a lake flanking the north side and
well-maintained paths through the forested areas, though the castle
interior is not open to the public. Access is via Gisselfeldvej 5, with
the official website providing details in Danish for events or guided
tours. The site is particularly vibrant in spring and summer when the
gardens bloom, and it's a short drive from Haslev's center, making it
accessible for day trips.
Bregentved Manor and Park
Just a
stone's throw from Haslev, Bregentved Manor stands as another testament
to Denmark's aristocratic past, with records dating back to 1319 when it
was granted to Roskilde Abbey by King Eric VI. The property changed
hands among noble families until 1746, when it was bestowed upon Adam
Gottlob Moltke by King Frederick V; the Moltke family has owned it ever
since, with notable members including Denmark's first Prime Minister
under the constitutional monarchy. The current Neo-Rococo manor house,
rebuilt in 1891 by architect Axel Berg, features a three-winged design
with a copper-and-tile Mansard roof, pilastered risalits, and an
entrance tower. The older north wing, constructed in 1731-1736 by
Lauritz de Thurah, houses a chapel with intricate sculptures by Johann
Friedrich Hännel. Spanning 6,338 hectares of agricultural land, forests,
and 163 rental houses, the estate supports a staff of 40 and generates
income through farming, forestry, and hunting. The park, originally a
French formal garden designed in the 1760s by Nicolas-Henri Jardin and
later adapted in 1835, includes restored canals, fountains, and avenues,
along with historical monuments like Frederik V's Obelisk (1770) by
Johannes Wiedewelt, a copy of a Giambologna statue, and a sculpture of
A.W. Moltke by Herman Wilhelm Bissen. This landscape garden offers
peaceful strolls amid manicured greenery and water features, providing
insights into 18th-century Danish landscaping.
Haslev Kirke
(Haslev Church)
At the heart of Haslev's original village lies Haslev
Kirke, a medieval church dating back to around 1100, initially built of
wood before being reconstructed in stone a century later. Located at the
upper end of Jernbanegade, the town's main street, it was significantly
rebuilt between 1914-1916 and renovated in 1987-1988, now seating
400-500 people. The structure features a tower added around 1500, along
with a northern sacristy, chapel, and southern porch from the same
period; of these additions, the tower and chapel remain prominent.
Inside, visitors can admire typical Danish ecclesiastical elements,
including frescoes, altarpieces, and historical artifacts that reflect
the town's religious heritage. As a central landmark, it has witnessed
Haslev's growth from a rural village to a modern town and continues to
host services, concerts, and community events, such as yoga-infused
worship or family gatherings. The church's exterior, with its
whitewashed walls and red-tiled roof, embodies classic Danish village
architecture, surrounded by early houses and streets that hint at the
area's medieval origins.
Haslev Vingård (Haslev Winery)
For a
taste of modern Danish innovation amid historical surroundings, Haslev
Vingård offers an intimate winery experience in the heart of town,
founded by winemaker and sommelier Frederik Bjørk with a focus on
terroir and the Solaris grape variety. This small-scale vineyard
emphasizes sustainable practices and respect for nature, producing wines
that capture the unique soil and climate of South Zealand. Visitors can
tour the facilities, including a distinctive flower house and park-like
grounds, learning about the winemaking process from grape cultivation to
bottling. Activities include tastings of their terroir-driven wines,
often paired with local cheeses or snacks, and occasional events like
harvest festivals or educational workshops on viticulture. Rated highly
for its welcoming atmosphere, it's a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts
seeking something off the beaten path in Denmark's emerging wine scene.
Galleri Emmaus
Housed in a beautifully preserved 1920s building
that once served as a high school, Galleri Emmaus is a cultural hub in
central Haslev, blending art exhibitions with accommodations and events.
Founded with an inspiring backstory—the initiator was researching a book
on Christian cross symbols and collected crosses from artists worldwide,
forming the gallery's core collection—it now spans a wide array of
contemporary and historical art, including sculptures, paintings, and
installations. The venue hosts intensive workshops, conferences,
creative high school courses, and rotating exhibits that "span wide and
high," fostering a vibrant community space. Visitors can explore the
galleries, relax on the sun terrace, or even stay overnight in its
bed-and-breakfast setup, which includes shops and proximity to local
eateries like Asian restaurants. It's particularly appealing for those
interested in Danish folk high school traditions, with programs that
encourage artistic and intellectual engagement.
Ginskolen (Gin
School)
Adding a spirited twist to Haslev's offerings, Ginskolen is
an interactive distillery where visitors can become "master distillers
for a day" by crafting their own gin. Located at Vestergade 29, this
hands-on experience begins with a welcome gin and tonic, followed by
lessons on botanicals, distillation techniques, and flavor profiles
using small copper stills. Participants select ingredients, distill, and
bottle their custom creation to take home, making it a fun, educational
activity for groups or individuals. The school also participates in
events like the Danish Spirits Festival at nearby Gisselfeld, showcasing
local craft spirits. With a cozy atmosphere and expert guidance, it's
perfect for gin lovers exploring Denmark's growing artisanal beverage
scene, and sessions are available by booking.
The village
Haslev is first mentioned on 3 February
1328 as Haslæ and in Roskildebispens Jordebog 1370-80 as Hasle and
Haslæ.
Haslev village consisted in 1688 of 26 farms and 3
houses with land. The total cultivated area was 637.3 barrels of
land owed to 137.97 barrels of hart grain. The form of cultivation
was triangular use with the rotation 2/1 + 1 vang sown annually.
The station town
With the construction of Haslev Station,
Haslev became a station town in 1870, when the Zealand south line
(from around 1924 Lille Syd) between Roskilde and Masnedsund was
inaugurated. Until 1924, when the section between Næstved and
Ringsted on the Zealand midway was opened, the railway via Haslev
was a main transport route between Copenhagen and the European
continent.
Around 1870, the town was described as follows:
"Hasle with the Church, Præstegaard, School ... Hasle (Haslev)
Railway Station, whereby Gjæstgiveri, Kjøbmandshandel and
Postexpedition (Telegraph Station in connection with the Railway
Station)."
Around 1900 the town was described as follows:
"Haslev (Hasle; gml. Form Haslef, Haslewæ), by the railway, a
market-town-like village with many rather considerable, several
storeys high, brick-hung houses and macadamized streets, thus the
street leading from the church to the station , and which has a
market town character with large shops, several of which with
electric lighting, Vestergade, Østergade, Nørregade and Ulrichsgade.
Its origins date from the opening of the railway in October 1870,
before which time it was only an ordinary village. The town has a
church, vicarage. ., large Municipal School (built 1896), several
Private Schools, including an Indre Missionshøjskole, owned by a
Aktieselskab (founded 1891), and a Realskole (founded 1895), a
Mission House (built 1894; the former Mission House is now
Højskolens Gymnastikhus), Fattiggaard for Haslev-Frerslev
Municipality (built 1869, Place for 29 Members), Pharmacy, 2 Medical
residences, Savings Bank for the County of Bregentved and
Surroundings (founded 12/7 1882; 31/3 1895 417,011 Kr., R entefoden
34 / 5—4 pCt., Reservefonden 6674 Kr., Antal af Konti 1144), Haslev
Bank (opr. 1894, share capital DKK 40,000), railway station (in the
operating year 1895–96 32,984 arrived and 33,201 passengers
departed; the total weight of goods etc. was 337,077 and departed
112,016 cntr.), Post office and telegraph station (1 postmaster and
1 clerk). , Telephone connection with Copenhagen. og Fakse
Ladeplads, er Toldkontrolsted (fra 1/1 1897) under Kjøge Toldsted,
har Markedsplads med 4 Kreaturmarkeder aarl. and weekly Market Day,
Gæstgivergaard, several industrial facilities and many shops,
including Cooperative dairy, Joint dairy, Cooperative pig
slaughterhouse, Brewery, Bakeries, Mill, Machine factories,
Bookshop, Book printing, Grocery stores, etc. "
Haslev was
already a large city at the turn of the century: in 1901 it had
1,394 inhabitants in 169 households and this number grew to 2,772
inhabitants in 1906, 3,668 inhabitants in 1911 and 3,727 inhabitants
in 547 households in 1916.
Haslev continued its rapid
development in the interwar period: the town had 4,132 inhabitants
in 1921, 5,162 inhabitants in 1925, 5,064 inhabitants in 1930 and
5,302 inhabitants in 1935. In 1940, the resident population was
4,735 inhabitants in 1,415 households; the apparently sharp decline
is due to the fact that Statistics Denmark up to and including 1935
had calculated the present population and as a significant school
town, Haslev therefore had a large temporarily present population of
pupils. But despite the change, Haslev was the country's largest
station town calculated by population. Distributed by industry in
1930: 309 lived off agriculture, 1,605 on handicrafts and industry,
683 on trade, 324 on transportation, 1,069 on intangible business,
505 on housework, 492 were out of business and 77 had no source of
income.
After World War II, Haslev continued its development:
the city had 5,020 inhabitants in 1945, 5,468 inhabitants in 1950,
5,680 inhabitants in 1955, 6,155 inhabitants in 1960 and 6,421
inhabitants in 1965. In 1960, the population was distributed by
industry: 225 lived by agriculture, 2,491 of crafts and industry,
727 of trade, 318 of transport, 891 of administration and liberal
professions, 202 of other enterprise, 1,217 of wealth or support and
84 had not indicated source of income.
Inner mission
For many years, the city was an Inner Mission
Fortress. One of the leading figures in the Inner Mission was
Christian Bartholdy, who was parish priest in Haslev and Freerslev
parish from 1943 to 1954.
Local government reforms 1970 and
2007
The town formerly belonged to West Zealand County and before
that Sorø County. Haslev Municipality arose on the basis of the
municipal reform in 1970 and consisted of the parishes Bråby,
Teestrup, Øde Førslev, Freerslev, Terslev, in addition to Haslev.
With the municipal reform in 2007, Haslev Municipality was merged
with the former Fakse Municipality and Rønnede Municipality.