Vordingborg Castle

From Freepedia

The ruins of Vordingborg Castle are located in the town of Vordingborg, Denmark, and are the town's most famous attraction. It was built in 1175 by King Valdemar the Great as a defensive castle. At the same time his half-brother built another castle in a remote location, which is known as Copenhagen.

Nowadays Vordingborg Castle is a ruin, with parts of the 14th century ring walls still extant. The only fully remaining part of the castle, the 26 meter tall Goose Tower (Gåsetårnet), is the symbol of the city. The name comes from the golden goose that is perches on top of the tower's spire. Although legend has it that Valdemar Atterdag used the symbol to taunt the Hanseatic League, the truth is the goose was first erected in 1871. The tower was transferred into the national trust on December 24, 1808, and is thus the first, protected historic monument in Denmark.

An historic garden is also located on the site of the ruin.

The castle was the birthplace of Queen Margaret I of Denmark.