Tønder is a charming historic town in southern Jutland, Denmark, near the German border. Founded as a trading settlement in the 13th century, it flourished during the 16th to 18th centuries thanks to its lace-making industry, cattle trade, and grain exports. The town center features well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and a mix of cultural sites that reflect its prosperous past. Surrounded by marshlands and the Wadden Sea, Tønder offers a blend of urban heritage and natural beauty. It's particularly known for its annual folk music festival and proximity to UNESCO-listed natural areas. Visitors often explore on foot, as many sights are within a compact area, making it ideal for a day trip or relaxed weekend.
Tønder Christ Church (Kristkirken)
This impressive church stands
as one of Denmark's most richly furnished religious sites, built on the
foundations of the 14th-century St. Nikolai's Church, which was
demolished in 1591. The current structure retains the original 1520
tower and west gable, showcasing Renaissance and Baroque elements funded
by wealthy lace merchants and cattle barons. Inside, you'll find ornate
pulpits, intricate carvings, painted wooden ceilings depicting Bible
stories, and a high altar surrounded by frescoes of flowers, vines,
angels, and saints. The furnishings highlight Tønder's economic heyday
in the 1500s-1700s. It's a peaceful spot for reflection, with
accessibility features like an electric platform for wheelchairs. Open
daily, it's best visited in the afternoon for natural light illuminating
the artwork. Visitor reviews praise its breathtaking restoration and
historical depth, rating it highly for its serene atmosphere.
Det
Gamle Apotek (The Old Pharmacy)
Dating back to 1671 (though the
building itself is from 1595), this former pharmacy operated until 1989
and now serves as a handicrafts shop and cultural landmark. Spread
across over 40 rooms, it offers a nostalgic journey through Danish
design, selling glassware, ceramics, gifts, and applied arts with a
cozy, romantic vibe. The basement maintains a year-round Christmas
atmosphere, complete with decorations and seasonal items. The restored
antique structure preserves original features like wooden beams and
counters, evoking the town's merchant history. It's a popular stop for
shoppers, especially Germans crossing the border, and is open Monday to
Friday from 10:00-17:30, with weekends until 16:00. Reviews highlight
the variety of crafts and the building's charm, making it a must for
those interested in local souvenirs or architectural history.
Uldgade Street
One of Tønder's most evocative streets, Uldgade is a
narrow cobblestone lane lined with modest 17th- and 18th-century
craftsmen’s houses built by lacemakers. These small homes feature
distinctive gable facades, bay windows designed to maximize light for
intricate lace work, and ornate doors that add bursts of color. The
street's name may derive from "wool" (due to historical wool transport)
or the German word for "wolf." Walking here feels like stepping back in
time, with its colorful and well-preserved facades often described as
the most picturesque in old Denmark. It's part of the pedestrian zone,
perfect for a leisurely stroll, though the cobblestones may challenge
accessibility. Nearby side streets like Spikergade offer similar vibes.
Visitors love it for photography and its authentic glimpse into Tønder's
lace-making era, when up to 1,200 workers thrived here.
Drøhses
Hus
This preserved Baroque house in the heart of the pedestrian
street exemplifies Tønder's architectural golden age. Built during the
lace industry's peak (16th-18th centuries), it now functions as a museum
dedicated to the craft, showcasing historical lace samples, tools, and
equipment. The interior highlights period furnishings and stories of the
lacemakers who contributed to the town's wealth. A small shop sells
modern lace and related items. It's an intimate site, ideal for
understanding how lace production shaped local economy and culture.
Opening hours vary, so check ahead; it's often paired with a visit to
the nearby Tønder Museum. Reviews note its musty charm and educational
value, though it's best for those with an interest in textile history.
Tønder Museum and Sønderjyllands Kunstmuseum
Housed in the
remnants of Tønder Castle (only the gatehouse survives), the Tønder
Museum delves into local history with exhibits on the lace-making era,
including delicate baptismal gowns, doilies, regional costumes, and
elegant silverware from merchants. You'll also see hand-painted Dutch
tiles used as ship ballast and later for home decoration, plus the
wooden figure of Kagmand, once used for public punishments in the town
square. Attached is the Sønderjyllands Kunstmuseum, featuring Danish
surrealist and contemporary art, Nordic pieces from the 20th-21st
centuries, and rotating exhibitions. The museum complex offers a
comprehensive look at Tønder's cultural evolution. Open year-round with
guided tours available; it's highly rated for its artifacts and art
collections.
Water Tower (Vandtårnet)
Adjacent to the art
museum, this historic water tower has been repurposed as an art gallery
and viewpoint. Donated in 1995, it houses 37 chairs and drawings by
renowned Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, blending industrial
architecture with modern design. Climb to the top for panoramic views of
Tønder's rooftops, marshlands, and the Wadden Sea. It's a unique hidden
gem, combining local art culture with scenic overlooks. Accessibility is
limited due to stairs, but it's free with museum entry. Visitors
appreciate the blend of functionality and creativity, especially on
clear days.
Sculpture Garden and Circle Bridge
Established in
2008, the Sculpture Garden along the Vidå River features 17 donated
sculptures integrating art, nature, and urban space. It's a serene spot
for contemplation, with pieces donated by local businesses. Nearby, the
2020 Circle Bridge is a wooden promenade and circular structure over the
river, designed for climate adaptation and offering views of wildlife,
parks, and the town. It's wheelchair-accessible and perfect for photos
or picnics. Together, they represent Tønder's modern cultural
initiatives. Reviews call it a peaceful escape, ideal after exploring
the town center.
Schackenborg Castle
Located in nearby
Møgeltønder (a short drive from Tønder), this 17th-century castle is a
fairy-tale-like estate with beautiful gardens and historical ties to
Danish royalty—it was once home to Prince Joachim. Though the interior
is private, guided tours explore the grounds, architecture, and stories
of its past. The surrounding quaint village adds to the charm, with tea
shops and strolls. It's best visited in summer for blooming gardens.
Ratings emphasize its majestic setting and photogenic appeal.
Møgeltønder Church
Adjacent to Schackenborg Castle, this 17th-century
church is renowned for its intricate carvings, frescoes of flowers and
saints, ornate pulpit, and painted wooden ceiling with Bible scenes.
Lovingly restored, it's one of Denmark's most beautiful churches,
reflecting the era's artistic wealth. The peaceful interior includes
detailed pews and altars. Open to visitors, it's highly rated (often
5/5) for its breathtaking details and historical significance.
Wadden Sea National Park (Nationalpark Vadehavet)
This UNESCO World
Heritage site surrounds Tønder, offering vast marshlands, tidal flats,
and biodiversity. Activities include oyster safaris, birdwatching
(especially the "Black Sun" starling migrations), picnics, and guided
walks on mudflats for crabs and seals. It's a haven for nature lovers,
with spots like Højer Sluse showing sea level history during storms.
Best in spring or fall for wildlife; wear boots for tours. Reviews rave
about the unique experiences and stunning sunsets.
Marsk Tower
A 25-meter architectural marvel in the marshes, this tower provides
panoramic views of the flat landscape, emphasizing the region's natural
expanse. Designed as a modern landmark, it's an easy climb (not
difficult even for moderate fitness) and exemplifies Danish innovation.
Views are best on sunny days; it's near other marsh sites. Some visitors
find it underwhelming in poor weather, but it's praised for its
perspective on the environment.
The city is already mentioned in the 12th century by an Arab
cartographer Al-Idrisi, but there is uncertainty as to whether the name
Tundira refers to Tønder or Møgeltønder. In 1243, the city was given the
city rights of Lybsk, and is thus the country's oldest market town. The
town was originally a harbor town, which can also be seen in
contemporary street names such as Skibbroen and Skibbrogade, but the
town already lost access to the sea and thus its harbor in the 1550s due
to Hans the Elder's dyke constructions. These buildings were started
after a serious storm surge in 1532, when the water was 1.8 meters high
in Tønder church, corresponding to a height of 5.3 meters above daily
water. Violent storm floods in 1615 and 1825, and in the last century in
1923 and 1976 was a condition that the city has tried to protect itself
against throughout its history. Right up until the middle of the 20th
century, Tønder was surrounded by water on all sides in the winter, but
today the Tønder marsh is protected by the Protruding Dike, which
stretches from Emmerlev Klev down to the Hindenburg dam.
Up until
the 17th century, the city had significant shipping and trade,
especially with Northern Germany and the Netherlands, and the resulting
immigration. The constructed dykes protected the city from flooding, but
cut off direct navigation, so that Rudbøl and later Højer had to be used
as shipping ports. Tønder then developed into a center for the
production and sale of lace. In 1788, the town got a teacher's seminary,
which in 1989 was merged with Haderslev State Seminary.
After the
war in 1864, when Tønder became German, the town experienced increased
growth and industry arose. The town gained access to a larger catchment
area to the south, and in terms of trade, Tønder competed with Husum in
particular. A railway connection was established to Tinglev on the
Jutland long-distance railway in 1867 and to Højer in 1892.
At
the beginning of the 20th century, the city benefited from tourism on
the island of Herring, as tourists traveled via Tønder and Højer.
However, with Reunification in 1920, Tønder became Danish, and tourist
traffic to Sild ceased. Furthermore, after the new border was drawn, the
city lost most of its southern catchment area. In the 1900s, it was
possible to drain the entire Tønder marsh, and Tønder became a traffic
hub and thus a trading town for a fairly large area. Although industrial
development was long limited in the town, the population almost doubled
in the first half of the 20th century, and in 1950 Tønder reached 7,000
inhabitants. In these years, a number of new companies came to the city,
while already existing companies expanded. Even so, in 1960, only 28
percent of the economically active in the city were employed in the
industrial and craft professions.
In the municipal reform in
2007, Tønder was merged with 6 other municipalities, including Skærbæk
and Rømø. This makes Tønder Denmark's fifth largest municipality in
terms of area.
Tønder Gymnasium offers the two youth programs:
STX
HF
Tønder Handelsskole offers the two youth programs:
HHX
EUX
EUC
Syd (technical high school and technical school) has a branch in Tønder
EUC Syd and Tønder Handelsskole offer in collaboration:
HTX
VUC
Syd has a branch in Tønder
Erhvervsakademie Sydvest has a branch in
Tønder
Brdr. Hartmann A/S manufactures egg trays and in 2012 had 380
employees.
Norsk Hydro Aluminum (today renamed Sapa Extrusion
Denmark) extrudes and sells aluminum profiles to the Danish market and
Germany. The aluminum profiles are delivered either in raw condition or
with surface treatment and possibly mechanical processing. The company
has 260 employees who are divided between production in Tønder and sales
offices in Tønder and Risskov.
Previous workplaces in Tønder
Tønder State Seminary trained school teachers in the period 1788-1989.
Tønder Barracks housed soldiers in the years 1936-2002. The Tønder
Barracks were dismantled in 1999-2002, when the Electronic Warfare
Company was also moved to Fredericia.
The town contains the Cultural History of Tønder, formerly called
Tønder Museum, but which is now part of Museum Sønderjylland.
The
art museum in Tønder was founded in 1972 and contains a permanent
collection of works by mainly recent Danish artists.
Tønder
Vandtårn was previously used as a water tower, but today has been
converted into a museum for Hans J. Wegner.
Tønder is known for a
special kind of lace called barrel lace, and a lace festival is also
held in the town. It attracts many visitors from all over the world.
Tønder Festival
Every year, the city is a gathering place for
many music enthusiasts during the Tønder Festival, one of the most
important European festivals within traditional and modern folk music,
roots and blues. The festival takes place every year on the last full
weekend in August. It began in 1974. In 2006, there are approx. 1,900
volunteer employees associated with the festival.