# Sorø Abbey

- **Country:** Denmark
- **Coordinates:** 55.430100, 11.556600

Sorø Abbey, located in the town of Sorø in central Zealand, Denmark, stands as the most prominent and wealthy monastic house in the country during the Middle Ages. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1142 by the powerful Hvide brothers, Ebbe Skjalmsen and Asser Rig, the site was originally a Benedictine establishment. In 1161, Bishop Absalon, son of Asser Rig, reformed the abbey by introducing Cistercian monks from Esrum Abbey. This transition marked a significant architectural shift, as the new order constructed the church and monastery using large red bricks, a technology imported from northern Germany. The resulting structure features a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, with construction continuing until its completion around 1201.

Historically, the abbey served as a crucial religious and political center, boasting an income that eventually surpassed that of the Danish royal family due to vast land endowments. It became the prestigious burial site for the noble Hvide family, Bishop Absalon, and three Danish kings: Christopher II, Valdemar IV Atterdag, and Oluf II. Although Queen Margaret I was initially interred there, her remains were later moved to Roskilde Cathedral. The site also witnessed significant historical events, including the presence of King Erik of Pomerania during the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1428.

Following the Lutheran Reformation in 1536, the Crown confiscated the abbey, ending its monastic era. In 1623, the complex was repurposed into the Sorø Academy, an educational institution that functioned as a knight academy and a center for higher learning during the Danish Golden Age. Today, the historic buildings survive in good condition and continue to serve the community as a boarding school. The original gate remains a notable landmark, preserving the legacy of this once-mighty religious house that evolved into a cornerstone of Danish education.

![Photo of Sorø Abbey](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Klosterporten_%28Sor%C3%B8%29.JPG)

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