Maribo

 

Maribo a central town and old market town in the middle of Lolland with 5,790 inhabitants (2020). It is primarily known as the Cathedral City of Maribo with its majestic old monastery church, Maribo Cathedral, as its landmark. It is also known as the birthplace of the poet priest Kaj Munk. The city is one of the few Danish market towns located inland - without direct sailing connections to waters and seas around Denmark. The market town is surrounded by the Maribo Islands, where in the summer tourist boats sail around to the small islands. From the town's station there is a veteran railway connection, Museumsbanen Maribo-Bandholm, to the small port town Bandholm by Smålandsfarvandet and to Nakskov and Nykøbing F with Lollandsbanen (Local train).

Maribo is characterized by being an old town without much industry. In the southern part of the center there are a number of older city districts with small streets and alleys. At the cathedral there are ruins of Skt. Birgitta Kloster from 1416, which was already in disrepair when Leonora Christina lived here in the late 17th century. Today there is a Catholic church in Maria Gade. Skt. Birgitta Church was built for the Polish beet workers in 1897. Other older buildings are Kapellangården from 1756 and Maribo Town Hall from 1856 on Torvet.

Maribo is a traffic hub on Lolland. The E47 motorway passes Maribo. From the city there are just over eight km to Sakskøbing, just over 13 to Rødby, just over 28 to Nakskov, 26 to Nykøbing Falster and 52 kilometers to Vordingborg. Maribo is the headquarters of Lolland Municipality and belongs to Region Zealand

 

History

Maribo Monastery was founded in 1416 and established by Queen Margrete 1st (1353-1412) on the farm Grimstrup. The town of Maribo arose at the monastery. The history of the market town of Maribo is therefore inextricably linked with St. Birgitta Monastery (Maribo Monastery). In the beginning of the 15th century, there was a small village Skimminge in the place where Maribo is now. A special order within the Catholic Church, the Birgittine Order, chose this place to build a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monastery, which was completed in 1416, was divided into two separate wings – one for monks and one for nuns. The two groups met in the monastery church that was to become Maribo Cathedral. The monastery church was built in the years 1413-1470. The Birgittine Order now applied to the Pope for permission to call the place Maribo, a derivation of "Marie-bo": a "religious abode of the Holy Virgin". In the same year that the monastery was completed, it and the surrounding settlement were granted market town rights by Erik of Pomerania, and the Pope gave his consent to the place name Maribo in 1418. The history of the town begins from here. Maribo's city coat of arms shows Saint Birgitta of Vadstena, who founded the Birgittine Order.

Even with market town rights, it was difficult for Maribo to develop into an actual trading town because the town was not located by the sea. But Maribo Kloster grew during the 15th century into one of Denmark's noblest and most important monasteries, not least because many of its residents and financial supporters belonged to the nobility. [source missing] The Birgittine Order was also the guardian of the nearby Østofte Church, which Christoffer of Bavaria had gifted Maribo Monastery, and as the Pope had confirmed in 1453. The merchant town of Maribo was to assist the monastery financially and provide able-bodied citizens when construction work was required. Right up to the Reformation, several kings, popes and cardinals favored and confirmed Maribo Monastery's privileges by letters of indulgence to those who donated gifts to the monastery. Gradually, other Danish monasteries began to apply for admission to the order, such as Sankt Agnete Kloster in Roskilde in 1487. Many wealthy men and women allowed themselves to be appointed "brothers and sisters outside" in order to share in the monastery's reputation. The monastery was thriving and even the Reformation in 1536 did not diminish the monastery's power in comparison to other Danish monasteries.

 

16th and 18th centuries

Like other Danish towns, Maribo was hit by the Count's Feud in 1534, and the following year the town's citizens joined Christian II, unsuccessfully attacked the monastery and took part in the looting of several manors in the area. In 1535 they capitulated and paid homage to Christian III in Nysted. After the Reformation in 1536, Maribo Kloster became a noble virgin convent to which noblemen could refer their unmarried daughters, and over time it developed into a retirement home for elderly stately women. One of them was Christian IV's daughter Leonora Christina Ulfeldt who, after her release from Blåtårn, spent her last years in Maribo Kloster from 1685-1698. She is buried in the crypt of the cathedral and on the tombstone is written: "Lord, if your word had not been my comfort, then I would have perished in my misery." In the 16th century, certain changes had taken place on the site. A violent fire ravaged Maribo in 1549 and the monks' department at the monastery was closed in 1551, 15 years after the abolition of Catholicism as the state religion in Denmark. There were rumors that the chastity of the nuns was in trouble in the first decades after the Reformation. In 1563, the bishop of Odense, Niels Jespersen, had to present serious charges against the nuns, partly for their adherence to papist teachings, partly for persistent rumors of immorality.

In 1596, another great fire ravaged Maribo, and the monastery church became the parish church of the market town of Maribo. In the same year, the King had the chancellor review the monastery's "lifestyle" and on that occasion installed a new fundats, which was to maintain the original idea of a monastery for virgins. However, it did little to help the monastery's reputation, which had suffered irreparable damage. Maribo town was ravaged by even more plagues in 1601, as the Plague hit the town with devastating force. In 1621, the demolition of Maribo Monastery began, which had its right as a welfare institution revoked. The monastery's assets and buildings/bricks were initially donated to the Sorø Noble Academy and later (upon the closure of the noble academy) donated to Frederik III and Queen Sophie Amalie in 1665. In 1647, the monastery part was given the function of a priest's residence and retained this function until 1770, with the exception of the years 1695-1718. A town fire in 1713 destroyed 25 houses and farms.

Due to several plagues in the following decades, in 1769 the town of Maribo had just 504 inhabitants. The following year they demolished the monastery's old monk section and replaced it with a new rectory. Although the monastery church survived, Maribo was now hit by economic and significant decline. The town was a small and poor trading area. Not least because a number of landowners on Lolland, who had large incomes through grain breeding on the island's fertile lands, circumvented the law and traded outside the small market town. This poverty made it too impossible for the town to maintain the abbey church, which began to decay.

 

From the 1800s

In the year 1800, the population was 680 in Maribo market town. A small strengthening of the town occurred in 1803, when Lolland-Falster, which until then had been part of the Diocese of Funen, was made a new independent diocese, and the monastery church became the cathedral of the area. The bishop, however, resided in Nykøbing Falster. Just as the sheriff of Maribo County resided in Nykøbing. Lolland-Falster's Stifttidende also moved to Falster's main town. It was not until 1843 that trade development began, as merchant A.C. Quade started an extensive trade in grain and used Bandholm as a shipping port. Distilling brandy was also an important production in Maribo in the 19th century, just as a large immigration of Polish seasonal workers for beet field work in 1893 and 1929 left its mark on the cityscape. In 1896, the town got its own brewery, Maribo Bryghus.

 

Maribo in 1830

"Maribo", market town in Musse Herred on Lolland approximately in the middle of the country, in a pretty area by Maribo Lake, is 1 1/2 miles from Sakskøbing, 2 from Rødby, 2 3/4 from Nysted and 3 1/2 from Nakskov, 10 1/2 from Heiligenhafen in Holstein, 21 1/4 from Copenhagen.

The town has 1,200 inhabitants, 173 farms and houses in the town, and 11 houses and 2 mills outside the same, 8 streets and alleys, a very large square - in the middle of the same town hall - 4 gates and 1 church (the previous monastery church). This is 109 cubits long and 87 cubits of it has a width of 45 cubits, 22 a width of 20 cubits. Its internal height is 20 cubits. The town's actual parish church burned down in 1596; from its remains, the so-called "Dronninggård" was built. The monastery church then became a parish church. The monastery was called Skinninge, then Maribo, and was founded in 1417 by Eric of Pomerania for nuns of the order of St Birgitta.

The city has two public civic schools (with 200 children). The town's own lands amount (according to the information provided) to 40 acres, and the royal lands which the town leases 150 acres. - After Dr. Paulli's topography: 500 barrels registered for 173 barrels of hartkorn, including the hartkorn of Maribo Ladegaard and the town of Refshales, which also belong to the parish - all replaced and of mediocre quality. The most important trade routes are grain trading and brandy distilling.

In addition to the usual officials, the bishop and the county administrator live in the city. The town clerk is also the town clerk. The town's coat of arms is a standing cross, presumably the Virgin Mary, as the town probably owes its coat of arms to the monastery of Mariæ, as well as its name. There are no market days, but on Mondays and Thursdays there is a grain market in Bandholm – the customs office – about 1 mile from the town, where the merchants have most of their warehouses. The consumption in 1828 was approximately 16,238 Riksbankdaler (of which 7,588 was the brandy tax alone). Maribo has the best water of all the market towns on Lolland. Instead of a civilian armed force, a police force is envisaged.

The town has a beautiful location, between 2 lakes, of which the southern lake (Maribo Lake) is the largest; its circumference is 4 miles. Its surroundings and wooded islets offer the most picturesque views. On the island of Borø in the lake there used to be a castle which was demolished in 1251, after having stood for 400 years. Near the town is a beautiful little forest, called "Bang's garden", with a beautiful view of the main farms Søholt and Engestofte. Another – Lysemose Forest – is the residents' regular entertainment venue. The mail from Copenhagen arrives and departs for Nakskov on Sunday and Wednesday evenings; arrives from Nakskov and departs Monday and Thursday night.

Christian IV's beloved daughter Eleonora Christine, since 1698, is buried in the cathedral. The tombstone that has covered her resting place was in a broken state when (in 1829) it was taken up to be framed in a new frame. In the burial site, a skull, a number of other bones, some brass and iron zirates, and a piece of gold braid were found - the latter presumably placed on the completely crumbled coffin. These remains of the noble king's daughter are now gathered in a new oak coffin and lowered into the repaired grave, over which the old memorable and restored headstone will be placed. In the narrower part of the church, called the Virgin's Choir, country fashion is held. A provincial library founded by printer K. H. Seidelin, founded in 1795, is set up here, which is currently numbering over 7000 volumes. In Maribo is a printing house.

 

The early industrialization

Maribo's population was increasing in the late 1800s but stagnated in the early 1900s: 1,667 in 1850, 1,960 in 1855, 1,992 in 1860, 2,156 in 1870, 2,403 in 1880, 2,542 in 1890, 3,838 in 1901, 3 .750 in 1906 and 3,874 in 1911.

Maribo had a customs office and loading area at Bandholm. By law of 20 November 1868 (concession of 8 January 1869) the construction of a railway between Maribo and Bandholm was established. The line, owned by a private partnership, was opened on 2 November 1869. In addition, Maribo became a station on the Lolland-Falster line. Pursuant to the law of 25 March 1872, the government gave Privatbanken a concession on the construction of a railway from Orehoved over Nykøbing and Maribo to Nakskov with a siding to Rødby. The private bank left the concession to its own limited company, and on 22 August 1872 the 3-mile-long Orehoved-Nykøbing line was opened, on 1 July 1874 the 8.6-mile-long line from Guldborg Sund over Sakskøbing and Maribo to Nakskov and Rødby.

In 1855, the town had factories and industrial plants: 1 printing house, 5 beer breweries, 10 brandy distilleries, 1 chocolate factory, 2 tanneries, 1 lime kiln, 4 potteries, 1 cotton wool factory, 2 clothing factories, 1 brick factory. In 1871, the town had factories and industrial plants: 1 printing house, 3 beer breweries, 2 brandy distilleries, 4 tanneries, 1 lime kiln, 2 potteries, 2 clothing factories, 1 brickworks, 2 wool spinning mills, 1 steam mill, 2 mills. Of factories and industrial facilities, the town had at the turn of the century: 1 steam mill (joint stock company, 34 workers), 1 wooden goods factory (12 to 16 workers), 3 beer breweries (15 workers), 1 machine and wagon factory ("Vulcan", 130—140 workers) , 1 wool spinning mill, 1 pig slaughterhouse (joint stock company, 16 workers), 1 lime kiln, 2 potteries, 1 dairy, 1 soda factory, 1 iron foundry, 1 sugar factory built in 1897 at Skovnæs and from 1898 belonging to "De danske Sugar Factories" (300 workers), and 1 printing house.

The nutritional composition of the population was in 1890: 328 lived from immaterial activity, 1,247 from craft and industry, 478 from trade and turnover, none from shipping, 4 were fishermen, 51 from agriculture, 26 from horticulture, 306 from other professions, 71 from their means , 28 enjoyed alms, and 3 were in prison. In the rural district in 1890, the distribution of livelihoods was: 4 lived from immaterial activity, 97 from agriculture, 11 from industry, 4 from trade, 33 from day laborers and 3 from their means. According to a census in 1906, the population was 3,750, of which 306 supported themselves by non-material activities, 65 by agriculture, forestry and dairying, 6 by fishing, 2,238 by crafts and industry, 685 by trade and turnover, 210 by transport, 82 were shopkeepers, 132 lived on public support and 26 on other or unspecified business.

In Maribo, 5 markets were held: 3 in Lent with horses and cattle, 1 in June with hugs, horses and cattle and 1 in October with hugs.

The interwar period
During the interwar period, Maribo's population was almost stagnant: in 1916 4,196, in 1921 4,442, in 1925 4,618, in 1930 4,606, in 1935 4,490, in 1940 4,399 inhabitants. But at the same time there was growth in the suburbs of Ny Østergade and Idasminde in Hunseby Municipality as well as Håred in Hillested Parish, where a number of people with work in Maribo settled.

At the census in 1930, Maribo had 4,606 inhabitants, of which 378 supported themselves by non-material activities, 1,8734 by crafts and industry, 869 by trade etc., 400 by transport, 138 by agriculture, forestry and fishing, 485 by housework, 410 were out of business and 53 had not declared the source of income.

The post-war period
After World War II, Maribo continued its stagnant population development. In 1945 there were 4,681 inhabitants in the market town, in 1950 5,141 inhabitants, in 1955 5,197 inhabitants, in 1960 5,235 inhabitants and in 1965 2,590 inhabitants. On 1 April 1950, the suburb of Ny Østergade was incorporated into Købstaden. Somewhat later, a new suburb, Refshale, emerged in Maribo's rural district.

Modern times
In 1970, Maribo County was abolished and the city of Maribo now came under the larger Storstrøms County. It was disbanded in 2007 and replaced by Region Zealand. Today, Maribo and Nykøbing Falster are considered a cultural center for Lolland-Falster with all its museums, the cathedral and several manors in the area. There is a short distance to forests, lakes, the sea and Knuthenborg Safaripark.

The next major development for Maribo will probably occur if the Fehmarnbelt connection to Germany is finally decided.

 

Transport and infrastructure

Denmark's first private railway, the Maribo-Bandholm Railway opened in 1869 and connected Maribo and Bandholm on the north coast of Lolland. However, the operation was stopped in 1952 and today it only runs as part of the Museumsbanen Maribo-Bandholm.

The Lollandsbanen stops at Maribo Station on the way from Nykøbing Falster to Nakskov.

The southern motorway runs north of the city and the primary route runs through the city from Nykøbing Falster to Tårs.

 

Profession

A large part of the city's business is located in the northern end of the city, and it includes, among other things, a division of the law firm Advodan.

Retail trade in the city is primarily around the Torvet by the old town hall, which today contains a tourist information center, and spreads up Vestergade and Østergade on both sides of the Torvet. In addition, the Lollandscentret can be found on the south side of Østergade, which contains a number of shops and cafés.

Hotel Søpark is centrally located in the city, close to the Cathedral and with a view of Søndersø. It has three stars and 109 rooms. It is owned by Milling Hotels, which also has hotels in Odense, Kolding and Middelfart. In the south-western part of the city, between the outdoor museum and Søndersø, lies Maribo Sø Camping.

 

Education

Maribo Gymnasium was founded in 1937 in central Maribo, and today has around 400 students. The catchment includes a large area around Maribo, as the nearest high schools are in Nakskov and Nykøbing Falster.

VUC Storstrøm has a branch in the city.

CELF offers vocational education in transport and logistics in Maribo.

There are several primary schools, including Sankt Birgitta Skole, which is a Catholic private school.

 

Culture

The city museum Stiftsmuseet Maribo is located on the railway station square and displays items from 14,000 years of history in the area. Storstrøm's Art Museum previously had premises in the same building, but in 2007 it moved to Fuglsang Gods under the name Fuglsang Art Museum. In addition, there is the Maribo Open Air Museum with old houses and workshops rebuilt in the area. Both the Stiftsmuseet Maribo and the Maribo Frilandsmuseum are part of Museum Lolland-Falster.

Maribo Miniby or Minibyen in Maribo opened in 2011 and has around 70 buildings from between 1850 and 1900, built as the city looked during this period. They are all built in 1:10 scale.

Nørregadeteatret is a regional theater located in the city. Here, one of the episodes for the fifth season of The Night Watch was recorded with Mick Øgendahl as co-host in 2012. The theater is located in the Kulturværket, where cinema shows are also shown, concerts are held and art exhibitions are held. The building was built in 1911 as an electricity plant, and it was inaugurated as a cultural center in 2011.

From a boat bridge outside the cathedral, the tour boat Anemonen departs, which sails around Søndersø and out to Borgø, where the remains of Refshaleborg can be seen.

The museum railway Maribo-Bandholm runs on the section where the now closed Maribo-Bandholm Railway is located. The museum railway was founded in 1962, and it includes locomotives and carriages from 1869 to 1935 from several of the country's private railways.

Maribo Jazz is a four-day music festival held every year on the third weekend of July. Maribo Rock was for several years an annually recurring music festival in the city. It was held for the last time in 2015 after several years of poor ticket sales. The festival started in 1995 and over the years has included Shu-bi-dua, Gnags, Lars Lilholt, Kim Larsen & Kjukken, Infernal and Big Fat Snake played at the festival.

Maribo Cathedral was built in the 15th century as a monastery church for Maribo Monastery, which was founded by monks from Vadstena monastery in Sweden. Today, only the church remains, which has since been turned into a cathedral. The ruins of the monastery can be found next door.

 

Sport

The Maribo Halls include the Maribo Swimming Hall and the associated athletics stadium. Maribo Football Club plays here. Maribo Roklub has courses of 2 km in Søndersø. The club was founded in 1896 and has caproning, kayaking and canoeing. Maribo Sø Golfklub is located on the eastern edge of the city next to the lake.