Vardehus

Vardehus refers to two medieval fortresses that once stood in Varde, located just north of Esbjerg in Denmark. Strategically positioned on opposite banks of the Varde River, these structures were designed to shield the town from maritime assaults. While historical records such as the Atlas Danicus and Danske Atlas documented ramparts on both sides of the waterway, the fortifications have largely vanished over time. The northern rampart was removed during the first half of the nineteenth century due to river canalization projects, whereas the southern mound persists today as a distinct round elevation.

The site holds significant historical weight, particularly regarding its violent end. According to a priest's report from 1638, the fortress was destroyed on April 2, 1439, during a peasant revolt. By the late eighteenth century, the location had been fully leveled, a process that uncovered remains of subterranean oak structures. Today, the elevated castle bank stands approximately five meters high and measures roughly 47 by 35 meters, still surrounded by the traces of an eight-meter-wide moat. Although the main castle buildings no longer exist, the earthworks serve as a tangible reminder of the region's defensive past.

Currently, the remaining southern mound functions as an archaeological landmark rather than an inhabited structure. It represents one of the former castles of Denmark, offering insight into medieval military engineering and local history. While the northern bulwark is gone, believed to be the site of the main castle bank, the surviving earthworks allow visitors to visualize the original scale of the defense system. The site is categorized among former buildings and structures in Denmark, preserving the memory of a fortress that once played a crucial role in protecting the town against sea-based threats.