# Antvorskov Castle

- **Country:** Denmark
- **Location Text:** ruins

Antvorskov Monastery, located just south of Slagelse on the island of Zealand in Denmark, was established around 1165 during the reign of King Valdemar the Great. Originally constructed as the principal Scandinavian headquarters for the Catholic Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Saint John, it served as a critical administrative hub where the local prior reported directly to the Grand Master in Rhodes or Malta. The complex functioned not only as a religious center but also as a major economic power, eventually accumulating vast landholdings across Denmark and extending as far south as Rügen. Architecturally, the site saw significant development over the centuries, most notably between 1468 and 1490 when Prior Jep Mortensen undertook a major reconstruction that included adding a new chapel to the abbey church.

The historical significance of Antvorskov is deeply intertwined with the Danish Reformation. It was here that the last Catholic prior, Eskil Thomesen, imprisoned the reformer Hans Tausen in 1525 after he preached Lutheran sermons, an act that helped spark the religious upheaval across the kingdom. Thomesen himself became a central figure in the political resistance against the election of King Christian III. Before these turbulent times, the monastery was a favored destination for nobles seeking burial within its sacred grounds or donating property to secure prayers for their souls, making it one of the wealthiest monastic houses in the region.

Following the Reformation, the monastery was secularized, ending its centuries-long role as a Catholic commandery. While the original medieval structures have largely disappeared over time, the site remains historically important as a testament to the power of the Knights Hospitaller in Scandinavia and the dramatic religious shifts of the sixteenth century. Today, the location is recognized primarily for its archaeological and historical value rather than as an active religious institution, marking the spot where medieval piety met the dawn of Protestant Denmark.

![Photo of Antvorskov Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Antvorskov_Kloster.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antvorskov_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)